What is the highest navigable lake in the world, located in South America?

Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world, sitting high in the Andes on the border of Peru and Bolivia.

Its surface elevation is about 3,812 metres above sea level, and the lake covers roughly 8,300 square kilometres. The “navigable” distinction generally refers to large commercial or ocean-going vessels rather than every lake craft. Smaller lakes exist at higher elevations, so Lake Titicaca is not the world’s highest lake in an absolute sense.

Titicaca is also South America’s largest lake by surface area and water volume. It consists of two major connected basins, Lago Chucuito and the smaller Lago Huiñaymarca, separated by the Strait of Tiquina. The lake’s main outflow is the Desaguadero River, although evaporation accounts for much of its water loss.

The lake has deep cultural importance. In Inca tradition, the creators Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo emerged from its waters. Indigenous Uros communities are famous for floating islands made from totora reeds, while the Bolivian and Peruvian shores contain long-established fishing, farming, and trading communities.