Introduction
Lake Titicaca stands majestically in both Peru and Bolivia at 12,500 feet high. It is a large lake and is considered to be one of the highest navigable lakes in the world, making it a popular tourist destination. The lake is known for its deep blue water and its many islands, though few people know just how many islands dot the lake’s surface. Some estimates say as many as 40, though one definitive answer is hard to come by.
History
Lake Titicaca has been at the center of the Incan and pre-Incan cultures for centuries. The lake has long been a source of sustenance and spiritual ritual for those who have made their home on its shores. The lake, and its many islands, have been seen as integral to the religious practices of those connected to it, and many of the island-dwellers consider themselves to be people of the lake rather than of Peru and Bolivia.
The people of the lake have seen the rise and fall of different cultures, but they have remained connected to the lake and the many islands that make it so special. This relationship between the islands and their inhabitants makes it difficult to definitively answer the question “how many islands does Lake Titicaca have?” because the islands are more than land masses – they are part of the spiritual history of the area.
Geography
Geographically speaking, the lake is located in the Andes and bordered by the cities of Puno and Copacabana in Peru, and the Bolivian cities of La Paz and Cochabamba. It spans over 8,100 square kilometres. It is fed by thawing snow from the nearby mountains, and its waters eventually drain into the Desaguadero River and then Lake Poopo, located in Bolivia.
Scattered around these shorelines are hundreds of islands of varying sizes, depending on how one defines an island. Scientists with the University of Alaska have done a comprehensive survey of the area and estimated that the lake contains over 40 islands. However, these islands must meet certain criteria in order for them to be regarded as an island according to the research team. The University of Alaska considers an island to be land that is surrounded by water, reachable from the shore, and above the water at all times.
Characteristics
The islands near Lake Titicaca range in size and shape, serving as home to plants and animals who rely on the lake for food and water. These islands also serve man’s need for food, energy, and a place to live, but they also have cultural importance. The Uru people inhabit some of the islands and have formed their own societies atop the lake.
In the villages of Lake Titicaca you will find islands that are hundreds of years old. This is because the local Uru people use the islands for agriculture and to raise livestock. These islands are also used for spiritual ceremonies and are sometimes referred to as “floating islands” because of their unique abilities to shift in the lake’s shifting waters. The floating islands of Lake Titicaca also serve as refuge for the Uru people who are trying to preserve their culture and their way of life.
Environmental Impact
In recent decades, human activity has become more pervasive in the Lake Titicaca region and threatens the delicate ecosystem. Tourists flock to the lake to take pictures and enjoy its natural beauty, unaware of the potential harm they can cause. Pollution from agricultural run-off and other sources has been a problem, as well as the introduction of invasive species. The lake’s native species have been under pressure from these changes and have been pushed to the brink.
In addition, overfishing has been an issue. Locals have been fishing in the lake for generations, and the introduction of motorized boats has made it even easier to take advantage of the lake’s resources. With the fish population being overfished, the islands of Lake Titicaca have had to deal with drastic changes in their ecology.
Thankfully, in recent years there have been efforts to protect the lake and its islands from further degradation. Locals and tourists alike are being educated on how to act more sustainably in the lake, and laws have been put in place to protect the local species. Still, the future of Lake Titicaca and its many islands remains uncertain.
Conclusion
With Lake Titicaca spanning over 8,100 square kilometres, there is no definite answer as to how many islands it has. Estimates put the number at 40 or more, and the islands play a key role in both sustaining the local species and preserving the culture of the Uru people. Unfortunately, human activity has taken a toll on the lake’s eco-system and continues to threaten the natural beauty of the area. Although there have been efforts made to protect Lake Titicaca, the future of its islands remains uncertain.
