Lake Titicaca By: Nicole Morris

Spanish 2 APID9th Grade

Lake Titicaca Basic Facts

Lake Titicaca is located between Bolivia and Peru, the west side is located in Peru and the east side is located in Bolivia.

It is the largest lake in South America, by the volume of water it has.

Lake Titicaca, gets its inflow of water by 27 rivers. The deepest point of the lake is 1,000 feet deep. The lake and the islands are still active with festivals and

events. The lake has two sub-basins; a large and a small. According to the Incan mythology, the creator was a god

named Viracoco. Recently, a large temple was discovered submerged in the

lake.

Basic Facts continued…

There are two mountains on the islands, Pacca Mama (mother Earth) and Pacca Tata (Father Earth)

The local people are pilgrims. Lake Titicaca is 118 miles long and 50

miles wide at maximum points.

Sub- basins

Large: - Called Lago Grande (also called Lago

Chucuito) - Mean Depth: 135 m - Maximum Depth: 284 m Small: - Called Winaymarka (also called Lago

Pequeno) - Mean depth: 9 m - Maximum Depth: 40 m

January 18

Once a year, locals dress in traditional clothes and climb the two hills.

The Pilgrims descend each hill into two groups.

Then, they meet to offer coca leaves, grains and alcohol to the Earth.

Temperatures

The average temperature is 10-14 degrees Celsius (50-57 degrees Fahrenheit)

In the winter, the water is always between 50-52 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are always cold sources or winds over the lake to keep the water cool.

In the winter, mixing occurs with the deep waters, which keeps it cool.

The lake has never been frozen.

Name

The origin of the name is unknown The lake has been translated as “Rock

Puma” (The shape looks like a Puma hunting a rabbit)

Locally, the lake goes by several names. In Peru, the smaller parts and larger parts

of the lake are called Lago Pequeno and Lago Grande.

The Bolivians call the main body part Lago Huinaymarca.

Islands/Transportation

There are over 42 Islands They are artificial islands, and are made from

reeds. The islands have become a major tourist

attraction for Peru. The main purpose for the islands was defense,

and could be removed, if a threat arose. Many of the islands contained watchtowers, made

of reeds A ferry connects the 1435mm gauge railway of

Peru at Puno with the 1000mm gauge railway of Bolivia at Guaqui.

Island Amantani

This is a small island There are about 800 families, that live in

six villages. There are two mountain peaks, with

ancient ruins at the top of both peaks. There are no cars or hotels on the island. There are a few small stores, and a

generator for electricity. Most families use candles or flashlights,

powered by hand-crank.

Island Taquile

This island is a hilly island, and is located 35 kilometers east of Puno.

The island is narrow and long It was used as a prison during the Spanish

colony. In 1970, it became property to the Taquile

people. Pre-Inca ruins are found on the highest part of

the island Also, Agriculture terraces are found on the

hillsides.

Pictures:

Works Cited:

www.laketiticaca.org www.En.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Titicac

a www.sacred-destinations.com/bolivia/la

ketiticaca www.Unique-southamerica-travel-expe

rience.com www.honors.heu.org www.Laketiticaca.org www.islandcrisis.net www.chimuadevtures.com