Lake Titicaca

mountains · South America · lakes · geography

Super high up. Lake Titicaca sits 3,812 meters (12,507 feet) above sea level in the Andes mountains. That's so high that planes need special engines to fly there because there's less oxygen in the air.

Biggest in South America. Titicaca is the largest lake on the entire South American continent. It has more water and spreads over a bigger area than any other lake south of the equator.

Boats can go there. Even though it's the highest lake in the world where big boats can actually sail and navigate, most lakes that high are too small or too shallow for ships to use.

Fresh but salty. The water is mostly fresh, but it tastes slightly salty because minerals have dissolved into it over thousands of years. It's one of the few lakes in the high mountains that has this special mix.

18th largest worldwide. While it's the biggest lake in South America, Lake Titicaca only ranks 18th in size when you compare it to all the lakes on Earth.