Titicaca, Lake

Titicaca, Lake, lake in western-central South America, the largest on the continent, and the highest navigable lake in the world (about 3,810 m/12,500 ft above sea level). Extending from south-eastern Peru to western Bolivia, it is 177 km (110 mi) long with an average width of 56 km (35 mi) and an area of 8,288 sq km (3,200 sq mi). Its greatest recorded depth is 280 m (920 ft). It is fed by some 25 rivers which together drain an area of about 58,000 sq km (22,400 sq mi) of the Andean Altiplano. However, it is drained by only one river, the Desaguadero; consequently, 95 per cent of the lake's excess water is lost through evaporation. There are 41 islands in the lake, of which Isla de Titicaca is the largest; many are populated. The Uru people still live on artificial “islands” made from matted reeds, and use boats made of lashed-together bundles of reeds. The surrounding region was one of the seats of early Native American civilization; it contains many architectural remains, some of which pre-date the Inca period. In fact, further evidence of a pre-Inca culture in the area came to light when the remains of a settlement and an ancient temple were discovered beneath the surface of the lake in 2000. The temple is estimated to be between 1,000 and 1,500 years old, and possibly linked to the Tiahuanaco people.