Titicaca is an alpine lake located at an altitude of 3812 meters in the Andes on the border of two South American states - Bolivia and Peru. It is the highest navigable lake in the world, the second largest in South America, and is also the custodian of the largest stock fresh water on the continent. According to legend, countless treasures lurk at the bottom of the lake. ancient civilization that once inhabited the area. The pond is surrounded by many myths and mysteries and has been very popular among explorers and adventurers and treasure hunters for many hundreds of years.

The lake got its name - Titicaca - from the Spaniards. It consists of two words: "titi" (puma) and "kaka" (rock), which in translation from the language of the Quechua Indians means "mountain puma". The Aymara and Quechua peoples called the reservoir "Mamakota". Even earlier, before the appearance of these peoples on the local lands, the reservoir was called “Pukina Lake”, i.e. located on the territory of the country of the Pukin people, which has now ceased to exist.

According to geologists, Lake Titicaca was part of an ancient sea close to a hundred million years ago, as evidenced by the presence of marine fish, crustaceans and even sharks, as well as the presence of preserved traces of sea surf on the slopes of the mountains and the fossilized remains of marine animals on the shores of the lake. Scientists say that the Andes are fairly young mountains that are in the process of growth, and they grow unevenly - in the northern part more actively than in the south. Previously, Titicaca lay 3750 meters lower than today, and was a bay, which, due to one of the natural disasters, turned into a lake that rose along with the mountains.

Lake Titicaca consists of two sub-basins connected by the Strait of Tiquina. The area of ​​a vast reservoir located in the north of the Antiplano mountain plateau is 8300 km². The average depth of the lake is 140-180 m, and the maximum reaches 281 m. The water temperature is always within 10-12 C, but at night the water often freezes off the coast. The salinity of the reservoir is 1%, which makes it a freshwater lake.

In total, about 300 rivers flow into Lake Titicaca, which come from the glaciers surrounding the Antiplano. The five main rivers that feed the lake are: Coata, Suchez, Ramis, Ilawe and Huancane. Only one river flows out of the lake - the Desaguadero, which then heads south through the territory of Bolivia to the endorheic lake Poopo. This water runoff is only about 5% of the total water balance - the rest of the lost water is subject to evaporation due to intense sunlight at altitude and strong winds.

On the shores of Lake Titicaca there are settlements of the Aymara and Quechua peoples, and the floating reed islands of Uros, the number of which reaches 40, are inhabited by the Uru Indians.

The original goal pursued by the creators of floating pieces of land was the possibility of prompt movement in case of a threat to their population. Many of them even have reed-built fire towers.

There are several other islands in the lake: Amantani, Taquile, Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) and Suriki.

The low and flat shores of Lake Titicaca, characterized by a temperate climate, are often bordered by thickets of reeds (totora). Such vegetation is most characteristic of the Andean lakes. Occasionally they form impenetrable thickets, which can be seen in the north of the lake.

The Uru Indians, who spend most of their time on the reed islands, not only build dwellings from it, but also build boats, make sails and clothes. Representatives of these tribes feed on fish, animals and birds that inhabit the islands.

In recent decades, there has been a tendency towards the rapid disappearance of the Uru people, who slowly mix with the Aymara and Quechua Indians. As for the flora and fauna, Titicaca is quite rich in plankton, fish and other living creatures. Fish population represented mainly by carp and crucian carp. Also, the lake is inhabited by trout brought from the reservoirs of North America, which has successfully acclimatized in these parts. But the artificially populated predatory salmon caused serious damage to local species. Coastal thickets serve as a home for birds, mainly waterfowl, such as Chokas marsh ducks. The world of flora, in addition to reeds, is represented by polyfolia, water plague and other water-loving vegetation.

The first images of Lake Titicaca in Europe were demonstrated in 1553 by the Spanish chronicler Ciesa de Leon.

Local legends say that at the bottom of the famous South American reservoir is the lost city of Wanaku, which stores the gold of the Incas, which they threw into the lake during the offensive of the Spanish conquistadors. These untold riches have been tried more than once to find. The first serious project dedicated to the study of the depths of the lake was headed by the famous Jacques Yves-Cousteau, who in 1968 plunged there in a submarine. He managed to find only ancient pottery.

In 1980, the Bolivian scientist and writer Huto Boero Roh reported that at the bottom of the lake, namely in its northeastern part, it was possible to find the remains of ancient settlements. He claimed to have found a temple built of gigantic stone blocks, with stone stairs and roads leading to no one knows where, the bases of which are buried in thickets of seaweed.

Already in 1988, the American National Geographic magazine organized an expedition to the mysterious lake, but their attempts also turned out to be practically fruitless.

At the end of the summer of 2000, Italian archaeologists and divers found a huge stone terrace at a depth of 30 meters, which, in their opinion, is an ancient pavement, a long wall (about 1 km) and a stone sculpture in the form of a human head, similar to the sculptures of the city of Tiwanaku, located in 19 km from Titicaca. The approximate age of the found objects of antiquity is 1500 years.

The beginning of 2001 was marked by confirmation of the existence ancient city at the bottom of the famous lake. Italian explorer Lorenzo Epis reported that the size of the ancient sacred temple he found at the bottom of the reservoir is 200 by 40 meters. The lake did not reveal its secrets for a long time, and researchers, without giving up, again and again began to study its depths. And finally, at the beginning of October of this year, their efforts were rewarded: through the joint efforts of Belgian and Bolivian archaeologists, a huge number of ancient finds were discovered at the bottom of Lake Titicaca, on the side of Bolivia. Their number amounted to about 2,000 unique artifacts, including pottery and figurines made of ceramics, puma-headed vessels, silver and gold items belonging to various eras, including the era of the Inca Empire.

The co-founder of the project, Christophe Delaret, says that they found archaeological finds of the Tiwanaku civilization, the Incas, and on the surface - material from the 18th-20th centuries. The project is designed for three years. During this time, scientists promise to study, evaluate and protect the legacy of past generations.

Particular attention should be paid to the burial towers of Silustani, which contain the burial places of local leaders of the Inca Empire, the island of Taquile (“the island of knitting men”) with a textile museum, the highland village of Chuquito, famous for the ancient church of Santo Domingo, as well as the island of Amantani, where you can see temples of Pachatata and Pachamama, located at an altitude of about 4200 meters.

Just 20 km from the folklore capital of Peru and concurrently the largest city in the region, the city of Puno, is the ancient port city of Tiahuanaco, towering 30 meters above the lake. Here you can see the Kalasasaya stone, the Akapana pyramid and the Gate of the Sun, built from huge boulders.

Climbing to the top of Taquile Island, you can see stunning views of the lake and surroundings.

(56%) and (44%). The area of ​​the lake is 8562 km², the maximum length is 204 km and the width is 65 km, the average depth is 107 meters, and the maximum is 281 m.

Titicaca is the world's largest mountain lake in terms of fresh water reserves (water salinity is about 1 ‰), as well as the second largest in South America (after the Venezuelan Lake Maracaibo) and the highest largest navigable lake in the world.

The name "Titicaca" in translation from the language of the Quechua Indians consists of two words: kaka - rock and titi - puma (a sacred animal among the Quechua tribes).

More than 25 rivers flow into the lake, mostly flowing from the surrounding glaciers, and only one Desaguadero river flows out, flowing into the endorheic Bolivian Lake Poopo (Lago Poopo).

On Titicaca you can see a wide variety of birds - ducks, Andean geese, Andean flamingos and many others. There are also many types of fish, including trout, and giant frog species.

Along the shores of the lake and on numerous islands (there are 41 of them here), there are many settlements of the Quechua, Aymara and Uros peoples.

The largest city on the lake is located on its western shore, in Peru.

Climate of Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca has an alpine climate with cool temperatures for most of the year.

Winters are dry with low night and morning temperatures, and the day is usually warm. The average daily temperature all year round is +16..+18°C.

The average night temperature - in the winter months from May to September can drop to -3…-8°C, the rest of the time to +1…+4°C.

The average water temperature in Lake Titicaca is from 10 to 14 ° C all year round, in the winter months (May-September) it is usually 10-11 ° C.

Last changes: 06/26/2012

Titicaca has more than 40 artificial islands Uros (Uros), woven from reeds and are one of the most striking sights of the lake.

The construction of such reed islands is an important part of the Uros culture. Several hundred Uros Indians still spend their entire lives on these islands (on major islands up to 10 families live at the same time). They fish, hunt birds, build reed houses, boats and the islands themselves, as well as daily make reed souvenirs and receive numerous tourists, due to which they mainly live.

Each islet of Uros consists of numerous layers of reeds, the lower layers are gradually washed away by the current, therefore the upper ones are constantly added.

The main means of communication between the islands and with the mainland are reed boats. They cook their food on a fire bred on flat stones.

The original purpose of life on the islands was primarily defensive, as they could easily be moved in the event of a threat.

Some of the islands have solar panels that allow the Uros to watch TV and use some electrical appliances.

There is also a floating primary school, but Uros children have to visit the mainland, mainly the city of Puno, for further education.

Last changes: 06/26/2012

Archaeological finds of Lake Titicaca

In 2000, a stone terrace was discovered in Lake Titicaca at a depth of 30 meters, presumably an ancient pavement.

In addition, a wall was found, about 1 km long, and a sculpture carved from stone in the form of a human head, reminiscent of similar stone sculptures of the ancient city of Tiwanaku, located in Bolivia, 18 km from the lake.

It is assumed that the age of these archaeological finds is about 1500 years.

Last changes: 06/26/2012

How to get to Lake Titicaca

The largest settlements on the Peruvian part of Lake Titicaca are a city located on the lake shore 385 km southeast of Cusco, and the city of Juliaca, located 27 km from the lake and 336 km from Cusco.

From Cusco, you can get to Puno by bus or train.

From Cusco to Juliaca can be reached by bus or plane.

by plane

Inca Manco Capac International Airport - international Airport located near the town of Juliaca.

Titicaca(Spanish: Titicaca) - the largest freshwater lake in South America, the second in surface area (after the lake in Venezuela) on the continent: the basin area is 8.3 thousand km², the maximum length is 190 km, the maximum width is about 80 km, and the average depth of the lake ranges from 100 to 281 m. Located in South America, at an altitude of more than 3.8 thousand meters above sea level, Titicaca is considered the highest navigable lake in the world.

The origin of the name of the reservoir is not known for certain, it consists of 2 words of the tribal language: "Titi" - "puma" and "caca" - "rock". That is, Titicaca is a "stone puma". From a bird's eye view, the contour of the lake really resembles the outline of a puma, a sacred animal of the Quechua people.

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Location and geographical features

Lake Titicaca is located on (Spanish: Altiplano), surrounded by picturesque snow-capped mountain peaks and fertile valleys. Scientific studies of the topography of the mountains, fauna and chemical composition of the water of the lake have shown that once the reservoir was a sea bay and was 3.75 thousand meters lower than today.

Geologists say that the lake was the bay of the sea about 100 million years ago, the reservoir is still predominantly inhabited by marine species of fish and crustaceans; traces of the sea surf have been preserved on the slopes of the mountains, and on the shores of the lake there are fossilized remains of marine animals. It should be noted that the Andes are young mountains, their growth continues even now.

For the inhabitants of the high Altiplano plateau, the huge lake is at the same time a source of water, building material and the main supplier of food, as well as a colossal heating pad that softens the climate of the cold desert region, because the water temperature in the reservoir never drops below + 11 ° C. It is no coincidence that people settled on the shores of the lake since ancient times (more than 10 thousand years ago).

The lake is divided by the narrow Strait of Tiquina (Spanish: Tiquina) into two reservoirs, which are called differently in each country: in Bolivia, the smaller reservoir is called “Lago Huinaymarca”, the larger one is “Lago Chucuito”, in Peru, parts of the lake are called, respectively, “Lago Pequeno” and Lago Grande.

Titicaca

The lake is often called the twin of Baikal, because it is an almost closed body of water, into which more than 300 rivers flow down from glaciers, and only a small one flows out. Desaguadero River(Spanish Río Desaguadero, “dehydrating”), which carries away about 10% of the volume of water and flows into the salt (Spanish Lago Poopo), located in Bolivia. With a salinity of about 1%, Titicaca is considered a freshwater lake.

Water in the lake comes from melted glacial waters and atmospheric precipitation. About 27 rivers (5 of which are large) are fed by glaciers located throughout the high mountain plateau, then flow into the lake. The largest of the rivers is the Ramis (Spanish Ramis), which flows into the northwestern part of the lake, which accounts for almost ²⁄5 of the volume of Titicaca's water.

There are 41 islands on the lake, the largest of which is Isla del Sol (Spanish: Isla del Sol). Around the reservoir and on the islands there are many settlements and Quechua. Part of the population lives on floating reed islands called. On the western (Peruvian) shore of the lake is located (Spanish: Puno), the administrative center and The largest city province of the same name.

Animal world

Lake Titicaca is home to a significant population of various bird species (more than 60), including rare ones, both permanent residents and migratory ones. For this reason, in 1998 the lake was included in the register of wetlands of international importance. The Titicaca flightless grebe is found here, now under the threat of complete extinction. Among other birds, the Chilean flamingo, thin-billed loaf, cormorant, night heron, Andean swallow, all kinds of ducks live here.

There are 18 species of amphibians in the lake, among which the most famous is the Titicaca whistler - a frog that can breathe under water, which lives in the marshy areas of the lake under stones, only occasionally coming to the surface.

Because of high altitude above sea level and extreme temperatures, only a few species of mammals are found in the lake area, including llamas, alpacas, Andean wolf, Andean fox, Andean skunk, wild guinea pig and viscacha (a rodent resembling a rabbit).

In the 30s and 40s of the XX century, several varieties of fish were released into the lake, more economically beneficial for the region, since then the local fish species have become rare and endangered. Today, the most common trout (lake and rainbow) is the most common here, which has perfectly taken root in the lake.

Climate

The lake is located in the alpine zone, cool temperatures are kept here for most of the year. Winters are dry, with mild daytime temperatures and cold nights. The average temperature on the water surface is from +10°C to +14°C. In winter (June-August), the water temperature is around +10°C.

Myths of the mysterious lake

Titicaca is one of the most mysterious and beautiful lakes in the world, which is considered the cradle of Teotihuacan and the indigenous Indian Andean tribes (Aymara, Quechua). In ancient times, according to the mythology of the Incas, the Earth experienced terrible natural disasters and a global flood, as a result of which our planet was plunged into darkness and cold, and the human race was threatened with extinction.

Some time after the great flood, the creator god Wiraqucha emerged from the depths of the lake. Traveling around the islands of Amantani (Spanish Amantani), Isla del Sol (Spanish Isla del Sol) and Isla de la Luna (Spanish Isla de la Luna), Viracocha ordered the Sun (Inti) to rise first, then the Moon (Mama-Kilya). Then, having climbed (Spanish: Tiahuanaco), he began to populate the world, re-creating a man and a woman. Tiwanaku remains a sacred site in the Andes to this day.

Lake Titicaca and Isla del Sol

Considering that the Sun and the Moon arose on Isla del Sol and Isla de la Luna, located in the middle of the lake, the Incas erected temples dedicated to the heavenly elements on them. The region long before the arrival of Europeans was considered popular route pilgrimages. The supreme rulers of the Incas themselves rushed to the lake to worship their shrines. Archaeologists have discovered sanctuaries created in 500 BC, that is, the islands of the lake were considered sacred places of ancient pre-Inca civilizations, from which the Incas inherited them. The lake was the cradle of the Tiahuanaco civilization, which sank into oblivion around 1200 AD.

Main Attractions

The rocky and hilly picturesque island of Isla del Sol, lying in the southern part of the lake, is considered one of the most famous places in Bolivia. According to Inca legend, it was on this island that the children of the Sun were born: Manco Capac (Spanish Manco Capac; the first Inca, founder of Tahuantinsuyu - the Inca state) and his wife Mama Oklo (Spanish Mama Ocllo), Inca Adam and Eve. There are no cars and paved roads on the island. The population of about 5 thousand inhabitants is mainly engaged in agriculture and fishing, in last years The islanders make money from tourism.

There are about 90 archaeological ruins on Isla del Sol, most of which date back to the 14th-15th centuries. AD (the period of Inca rule), the most significant of which are as follows:

In total, there are 32 “sedentary”, natural islands on the lake. In addition, in Puno Bay (on the Peruvian side of Titicaca), more than 40 artificial reed floating islands, known as "" (Spanish: Uros) - after their creators and owners, the Uros Indians, are of great interest.

Unique floating structures were woven by the Indians from totora reeds, which grow here in abundance. In the 13th century, by the time the Incas arrived, the Uros lived on the coast. Not wanting to submit to a powerful empire, they built shelters for themselves right in the middle of the lake. The recalcitrant Indians ate reed roots - totors, from which, with the addition of clay, they sculpted islands and huts drifting along the lake. The Inca civilization has long since sunk into oblivion, and the Uros culture exists to this day.

About 10 families live on the largest of the islands. The islanders continue to live traditionally by hunting birds, fishing and trading with the Aymara tribes. But today, tourism has become the main source of income for the inhabitants of the floating islands, which over the past decades has radically changed the established way of life of the Uros.

The Indians have learned to produce handicrafts, souvenirs, take pictures with tourists, ride them on reed boats, earning good money.

One of the Uros Islands

Takuile ​​Island

Taquile Island (Spanish: Taquile), located on the Peruvian part of the lake (45 km from Puno), was one of the last places in Peru to submit to the Spanish crown. About 2.2 thousand inhabitants live on the island with an area of ​​​​5.5 x 1.6 km².

The islanders are famous for their craftsmanship in the manufacture of textiles. Women make yarn and weave cloth, knitting is done exclusively by men, starting from the age of 8. In 2005, UNESCO listed the textile art of the people of Takuile ​​as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The way of life of the islanders since ancient times is based on the principles of collectivism and the moral code: "Ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhilla" (from Quechua "Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy"). There are no dogs and no policemen on Takuil, because the islanders do not break the laws. There is no electricity, no roads, only paths and steps. There are no hotels here either, tourists stay alternately in hospitable and hospitable houses. local residents. The well-being of the inhabitants of the island is largely based on income from tourism, annually the island is visited by about 40 thousand tourists from all over the world.

Surikui Island

Surikui (Spanish Isla Suriqui) is located in the Bolivian part of the lake. The island is considered the last place where the art of making boats from reeds has been preserved. Masters from Surikui took part in the construction of boats for the famous oceanologist, traveler Thor Heyerdahl, who in 1970 successfully crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the boat Ra-II, built by local craftsmen.

In his book about that expedition, Heyerdahl wrote: “Their knowledge in building large reed boats is so perfect that no shipbuilder, engineer or archaeologist can compete with them.”

Amantani Island

Amantani (Spanish Isla Amantani) is the most big Island the Peruvian part of the lake (its area is 9.28 km²), having a round shape. The inhabitants still speak the Quechua language. The island is known for two sacred mountain peaks with ancient ruins, which are called "Father of the Earth" and "Mother of the Earth".

Suasi Island

Suasi(Spanish Isla Suasi) is the only private island in Peru. The island has a private ecological reserve and one hotel. The owner of the island (its area is about 43 hectares) and the organizer of the reserve is Martha Giraldo, who still lives on her island, in a small house. Being a native inhabitant of the area of ​​Lake Titicaca, Marta Giraldo has long dreamed of creating a place where unique traditions, amazing nature, and unique ecological features of her native land would be concentrated. In 1996, she organized her own ecological reserve here. Marta's island was inherited from her grandmother. Suasi is perfect for those who seek solitude, dreaming of the most complete merging with nature. Here you can take a canoe trip around the island, admire the lush nature, enjoy the birdsong or just lie back and relax in a hammock.

Tiwanaku ruins

Not far from the lake are the ruins of the ancient city of Tiwanaku (Tiawanaku), which, according to many scientists, originally stood on the banks of the Titicaca. But now the ruins of the ancient city are located 20 km south of the lake. It turns out that since the construction of the city, either the water level in the lake has dropped significantly, or as a result of a natural cataclysm, the rocky foundation on which the city was built has risen greatly. According to scientists, there was a cult of Viracocha in Tiwanaku. According to Indian lore, he was a fair-skinned man with a white beard who wore long white robes. He was very kind, but people, instigated by evil sorcerers, forced him to leave these parts and go to the East.

Few artifacts have survived from ancient architects to the present day. The largest building in the city - the mysterious Akapana pyramid (Akapana) has a height of 15 m and a base length of 152 m. "Temple of the Standing Stones") - the most famous archaeological site ancient city.

Gate of the sun

Not far from Tiwanaku, huge blocks weighing from 100 to 450 tons are scattered in disorder, as if scattered powerful explosion. The blocks, as if carved by a huge chisel, have an impeccably smooth surface. Our civilization has not yet reached such a high level of stone processing!

For centuries, there have been legends about settlements hidden under water. In 1980, a group led by the Bolivian scientist and writer Huto Boero Rojo discovered the remains of an ancient city at the bottom in the northeastern part of the lake: a temple built from large stone blocks, stone roads, sculptures and stairs hidden in lush thickets of algae.

These ruins presumably belong to the pre-Inca period.

Curious facts

Titicaca: The Legend of Origin

Long ago, on the site of Lake Titicaca, there was a fertile valley inhabited by happy people who had everything in abundance. The carefree inhabitants of the valley knew neither death, nor malice, nor envy.

From all misfortunes people were kept by the gods of the mountains - Apu, who imposed only one strict prohibition on them: no one should climb to the top of the mountain, where the Sacred Fire burned.

People did not even think of breaking the taboo, but Bes, an evil spirit doomed to eternal darkness, could not bear the sight of people living peacefully in the valley. The demon managed to sow discord between them, and in order to prove his courage, he offered people to get the Sacred Fire.

One day, at dawn, the inhabitants of the valley began to climb Mountain peaks. Apu realized that people disobeyed them, and decided to destroy them all. Thousands of cougars ran out of the caves and attacked the people. People shouted loudly, begging Bes for help, but he was indifferent to their pleas.

At the sight of this, the god of the Sun - Inti wept, and his tears were so plentiful that in 40 days they flooded the entire valley. Only two - a man and a woman - managed to escape in a reed boat. When the sun shone in the sky again, the couple could not believe their eyes: they were floating on a wide lake, the surface of which was dotted with drowned cougars, which then turned into stone sculptures. People named the lake "Titicaca", which means "Lake of Stone Cougars".

Something like this!:)

Perhaps a vacation spent on the lake is not quite suitable for lovers of passive beach holiday and carefree pastime. This is not the Maldives, people come here for unforgettable experiences, in order to touch the history, the legendary ancient ruins and feel the spirit of the mysterious lake in the country of the sun god.

Thank you so much for every repost! Gracias!

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General information

Among the snow-covered mountain ranges of the Andes, there is an amazing alpine Lake Titicaca.

This body of water located at an altitude of 3812 meters above sea level. The border of two countries passes through its waters: in the West - Bolivia, and in the east - Peru. The depth of the lake ranges from 140 to 180 meters, and the maximum depth is 281 meters. The water in it heats up to 10-12 C. At night, the water near the shore freezes. There are 41 islands on Lake Titicaca, some of which are inhabited. About 300 rivers flow into the lake, and one flows out - Desaguadero.

Name

For a long time, the shores of the lake were inhabited by the Quechua and Aymara Indian peoples. The name of the lake contains words from the Quechua language: kaka means rock, and titi means puma. For a long time, this animal has been considered sacred by the Quechua people. Previously, the Indians called the reservoir "Mamakota" and "Lake Pukin", which means a lake from the country of Pukin - a pre-Columbian state that existed in the South American continent.

Flora and fauna

Among the inhabitants of the high-mountain reservoir, carp and crucian carp are most often found. In addition, trout live in the lake. It was brought from other reservoirs of North America. In the 1930s and 1940s, predatory salmon were settled in the reservoir, which caused great harm to the local inhabitants. An interesting fact is that representatives of the marine fauna live in the alpine lake. This is explained by the fact that a hundred million years ago the reservoir was part of the ancient ocean, but due to natural disasters, it rose to such a height. Evidence of marine origin are the remains of fossils of marine animals found along the shores of the lake and traces of sea waves on coastal rocks. Among the birds, mainly waterfowl live: Chilean flamingos, cormorants, ducks, etc. Of the mammals living along the banks of the reservoir, you can meet: Andean fox, llama, alpaca, Andean wolf. The local flora is famous for its thickets of reeds. They are a nest for aquatic species birds, and the local Uru Indians use it as a material for building floating islands and boats.

There are a lot of reeds growing along the shores of the lake. From it the Indians make houses and boats.

floating islands

The main attraction for which Lake Titicaca is famous is the floating islands of the Uros Indian people. The Indians lived on such islands made of reeds for a long time. Such unusual dwellings appeared during the time of the Incas, whom the Uros did not want to submit to and, in case of danger, sailed away from the coast. Some islands were equipped with observation towers.The militant Incas for a long time did not know about the existence of the Uros tribe, until they accidentally discovered them in the reed beds. The inhabitants of the floating islands were subject to tribute. When the Conxiscodores came to the Andes, the Inca Empire fell and the Uros became free again. Cane making has become part of their culture. In our time, many representatives of this people have moved to land and live an ordinary life. However, some continue to live on floating islands, the number of which is 40.

Floating islands are part of the culture of the Uros Indians. They have lived on the islands since the time of the Inca Empire.

About ten families live on the large islands, two or three on the small ones. The Indians eat fish, raise chickens and pigs. Food is cooked on a fire, making a fire on special stones. From reeds on the islands, houses were built and boats were made on which the Indians swim. In addition, this material is used to make clothes and is used as food by the islanders. Over time, the reed breaks, so every three months the Uros put new stems.

underwater archeology

Lake Titicaca is famous for its myths and legends that tell about the city of Wanaku resting at the bottom, which stores the gold of the Inca Empire. When the Spaniards advanced, the Incas threw their jewels into the water. The famous French explorer Jacques Yves-Cousteau made the first dive into the waters of a high mountain lake. He could only find pottery. In the 2000s, archaeologists from Italy found at a depth of about 30 meters a part of an ancient wall, about one meter in size, stone pavements and a fragment of a sculpture in the form of a human head. Their age was approximately 1500 years. In 2001, a group of scientists from Bolivia and Belgium found new finds at the bottom of the reservoir. Among them were items made of gold and silver, crockery, pottery, and vessels decorated with a cougar's head. All found items belong to the eras of different civilizations, including the Inca Empire.

The altar at which the priests performed their rites. Island of the Sun.

Island of the Sun

The Island of the Sun (Isla del Sol) is the largest among the islands of natural origin. It is located on the Bolivian side of the lake. According to the legends of the Incas, the god of the Sun, Inti, was born on it. The population of the island is 5000 people. All of them are engaged in agriculture, fishing and tourist services. The main attraction of the island is stone maze Chincana, which was a school of priests in the state of the Incas. It contains a sacred stone for the Incas, from which the whole empire of this people begins. There is also a sacred spring on the island called the Fountain of Youth. It is located on a hill, and in order to reach it, you need to climb 206 steps.

Information for tourists

You can get to Lake Titicaca by bus. It departs from the capital of Peru, Lima, and follows to the city of Puno, the largest locality on the shore of the lake. Floating islands are not far from Puno. Travel time will take about 40 hours. You can also fly by plane to the city of Cusco, and from there by train to come to Puno. Travel time will be 10 hours.

On the Bolivian side is located tourist town Copacabana, rich in hotels, cafes and bars. From its pier, boats leave for Isla del Sol. You can come for one day or several. A hotel has been opened for tourists on the island. You can get to the city of Copacabana by bus, which departs from the capital of Bolivia, the city of La Paz. Travel time will be 3 and a half hours.

titicaca

Titicaca (Titicaca) salt Lake to the Centre. Andes, on the border of Peru and Bolivia, at an altitude of 3812 m. 8300 km2 (the greatest of the high mountain lakes in the world). Depth up to 304 m. Desaguadero in the lake. Poopo. Shipping.

Titicaca

(Titicaca), a lake in the Central Andes, on the border of Peru and Bolivia, the largest in South America and the largest alpine lake on Earth. It lies at an altitude of 3812 m. The area is 8300 km2, the depth is up to 304 m. The T. depression is of tectonic origin, the lake itself is the remnant of a larger ancient reservoir. The banks are indented; in the north-east. and Yu.-Z. - mountainous, steep. Many rivers flow into the lake (the largest is Ramis), the river flows out. Desaguadero, which flows into the endorheic lake Poopo. The surface water temperature in the middle of the lake is constant (11≈12 ╟C), there are significant temperature fluctuations near the coast, and even in summer at night the bays and coastal areas are covered with ice. The highest levels ≈ in March, the lowest ≈ from May to December. The chemical composition of water is close to that of the ocean. Fishing. Shipping. The most significant city and port is Puno (Peru), connected by rail with the city of Mollendo (coast Pacific Ocean). On the southeastern coast and islands there are monuments of the ancient Indian culture of Tiahuanaco.

Wikipedia

Titicaca

Titicaca- the largest lake in South America in terms of fresh water reserves, the second lake in South America in terms of surface area (after Lake Maracaibo, which is also sometimes considered a sea bay), the highest navigable lake in the world. Located in the Andes. The name consists of the words of the language of the Quechua Indians: cocoa- rock and titi- puma - a sacred animal of the Quechua tribes.

The first image of the lake in Europe was presented in 1554 by the Spanish chronicler Cieza de Leon.

Examples of the use of the word titicaca in the literature.

For those who would like to think that it originates in Bolivia and falls from the mountains Titicaca, one would have to prove that the real Amazon is Ucayali, which arose from the confluence of Paro and Apurimac, however, now this opinion has already been refuted.

We told each other stories at the prairie bivouac fire, dressed each other's wounds after trying to land on the Marquesas, and drank to our common health on the shores. Titicaca.

The boats of Easter Island bore a striking resemblance to the boats of the lake. Titicaca, but even more - crescent-shaped vessels made of reeds, realistically reproduced in the ceramics of the ancient Mochica culture on the Pacific coast of South America.

Material from the Central Andes contains historical accounts, protohistorical traditions, and examples of pictorial writing used by the Aymara and Quechua Indians in the region. Titicaca and after the European invasion.

The Uru Indians, like the Quechua and the Aymara, on the banks of the same Titicaca or bouduma in Chad don't haul boats out of the water to dry every day.

The Aymara ancestors participated in the construction of the Akapana pyramid and other megalithic structures of Tiahuanaco, the most important pre-Inca cult center of America, which arose on the coast Titicaca.

And only on the lake Titicaca to this day, large and strong reed boats are knitted so that the bow and stern are bent up, and the knitting is continuous, the ropes cover the entire hull, as shown in ancient frescoes in Egyptian tombs.

The yellow boat and slender men were also reflected in the lake, and the overturned picture reminded me of other reed boats that actually sailed upside down in relation to us at the opposite end of the globe, on the lake. Titicaca In South America.

The researchers emphasized the identity of this boat with the ancient Egyptian and emphasized that this type was preserved not only in Morocco, but also in the upper reaches of the Nile, in Chad and on the lake Titicaca in South America, calling on ethnographers to find out how boatmakers in different parts of the world could be connected.

The same property of the scientist helped him understand why the modern papyrus kadai, used for sailing on Lake Chad, like reed boats Titicaca, does not require constant drying, to understand that the restoration of the ancient structure of the papyrus boat will return it to its former seaworthiness.

In the same area, many similar statues have been found, and I read even earlier that a zone of large anthropomorphic statues stretches continuously from there to Tiahuanaco, the most important pre-Inca cultural center on the shores of the lake. Titicaca.

Crescent-shaped reed boats are also seen on the wall paintings of the slabs of the ceremonial buildings of Orongo, and their similarity in design and material with the reed boats of the coast of Peru and the lake Titicaca, neighboring Tiahuanaco, has already been discussed.

It seems even more important to us that the elements of the Easter script and the rongo-rongo rituals have much in common with features that are characteristic, sometimes even specific, of Tiahuanaco, a prominent cult center in the basin Titicaca, so far the only region of the world, except for Easter, where they wrote in the inverted boustrophedon method.

Now, to the delight of the gods, a dam is being built across the great lake Titicaca to the holy island in the middle.

To the sacred island in the middle of the lake Titicaca, three more arrow flights.