Lake Titicaca

South America's largest lake, with a surface area of approx. 8 300 km² (3 200 miles²), located high in the Andes between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. Lake Titicaca is the worlds highest commercially navigable lake, located 3 821 m (11 463 feet) above sea level and having an average depth of between 140 and 180 m (460 and 600 feet), and a maximum depth of 280 meters (920 feet). More than 25 rivers empty into Titicaca, and the lake has 41 islands - some of which are densely populated.

The origin of the name "Titicaca" is unknown; and has been variously translated as "Rock of the Puma" or "Crag of Lead". Locally, the lake goes by several names. Because the southeast quarter of the lake is separated from the main body by the Strait of Tiquina, the Bolivians call this smaller part Lake Huinaymarca and the larger part of the lake Lake Chucuito. In Peru, these smaller and larger parts are referred to as Lake Pequeno and Lake Grande respectively.

Strange Fact #1: If someone falls into Lake Titicaca it is local tradition to not help them, and let him or her drown as an offering to the Earth Goddess Pachamama.

Strange Fact #2: Despite the fact that Bolivia is a landlocked country with no access to the ocean, having lost its only coastline to Chile in the 1883 War of the Pacific, the government there maintains a navy to deal solely with security on Lake Titicaca. (Nosce)

Strange Fact about Bolivia: Bolivia has lost every war it's ever fought, giving up a significant chunk of territory each time. The disastrous Chaco War of 1932-1935 was an unsuccessful bid to gain access to the Atlantic from Paraguay.