Titicaca

American  

[tit-i-kah-kuh, tee-tee-kah-kah] / ˌtɪt ɪˈkɑ kə, ˌti tiˈkɑ kɑ /

noun

1. Lake Titicaca, a lake on the boundary between southern Peru and western Bolivia, in the Andes: the largest lake in the region; the highest large lake in the world. 3,200 square miles (8,290 square kilometers); 12,508 feet (3,812 meters) above sea level.

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Titicaca British  

/ titiˈkaka /

noun

1. a lake between S Peru and W Bolivia, in the Andes: the highest large lake in the world; drained by the Desaguadero River flowing into Lake Poopó. Area: 8135 sq km (3141 sq miles). Altitude: 3809 m (12 497 ft). Depth: 370 m (1214 ft)

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Etymology

Origin of Titicaca

First recorded in 1750–55; from Spanish (Lago) Titicaca, from Quechua Titiqaqa (Qucha)

Example Sentences

A family of Peruvian farmers harvests quinoa near Lake Titicaca.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 26, 2024

Ancient raised fields had been found around Lake Titicaca, on the border of Peru and Bolivia.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2024

Each projectile point originated in the Lake Titicaca Basin, specifically the Ilave and Ramis valleys, which are located southwest and northwest of the basin, respectively.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

Severe drought conditions and unusually high temperatures have caused the shoreline to shrivel at Titicaca, South America's largest lake and the world's highest navigable body of water.

From Reuters • Nov. 3, 2023

The state closest to the Beni was based around Lake Titicaca, the 120-mile-long alpine lake that crosses the Peru-Bolivia border.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann