3 facts
Predating the Inca Empire, Tiwanaku was a powerful pre-Columbian civilization that flourished around Lake Titicaca from 300 to 1000 AD. Its monumental stone structures, like the Gate of the Sun, are remarkable.
After losing its pacific coastline to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1883), Bolivia established a naval force that operates on rivers and Lake Titicaca. The navy also trains for coastal defense, symbolizing a hope for regaining sea access.
Shared with Peru, this vast freshwater lake sits at an elevation of 3,812 meters (12,507 feet) above sea level. It is also the largest lake in South America by volume and a sacred site for the Inca people.