Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is a big lake high in the Andes Mountains of South America. It sits between the countries of Peru and Bolivia. The lake is about 12,500 feet above sea level. This makes it one of the highest lakes in the world where big boats can travel.

A Lake in the Sky

Lake Titicaca is very high up, so the air around it is thin. People who visit sometimes get tired just from walking. The lake is big and deep, holding lots of cold water. Even though it is so high, the lake almost never freezes. Tall, snowy mountains rise all around it.

The Floating Islands

The Uros people live on Lake Titicaca in a very special way. They build islands out of floating reeds called totora. The islands float on top of the water. The Uros build their houses and even their boats from the same reeds. People have lived this way for hundreds of years.

Fun Facts

• Lake Titicaca has more than 40 islands, some with old Inca ruins.
• Local stories say the first Inca king and queen came from the lake.
• The Uros people walk on soft, squishy reeds all day long.

Did You Know?

There is a giant frog that lives only in Lake Titicaca. It is sometimes called the 'scrotum frog' because of its loose, baggy skin.