Which lake is the island of Janitzio located in?

The island of Janitzio is located in Lake Pátzcuaro.

Janitzio is the largest of five islands in Lake Pátzcuaro, a highland lake in the Mexican state of Michoacán. The island’s settlement sits on a steep hill, and regular boats connect it with the Pátzcuaro pier. Its name is commonly explained as meaning “maize flower” in Purépecha.

The lake basin is a historic heartland of the Purépecha people, whose communities maintain distinctive fishing, craft, and ceremonial traditions. Janitzio is particularly famous for its Day of the Dead observance, when candlelit boat processions and an overnight vigil take place around the island’s church and cemetery.

Visitors also associate Janitzio with butterfly-shaped fishing nets used to catch pescado blanco, a freshwater fish important in local cuisine. A 40-meter statue of José María Morelos dominates the island’s summit. Lake Pátzcuaro is an endorheic basin, meaning its waters do not naturally drain to the sea, and it has faced serious environmental pressure from siltation and water diversion.