Altiplano

The Altiplano is one of the three major regions of Bolivia and stretches in a northwest to southwest direction splitting the Andes into two mountain chains. To the west is the Cordillera Occidental, a collection of crests and peaks that together form a border with Chile, including Bolivia’s highest peak, Nevado Sajama. On the opposite side of the split, the Cordillera Oriental (also known as the Cordillera Real) is home to a grand array of magnificent mountain tops, some of the most impressive being those that surround the renowned Lake Titicaca like Mount Illimani and Mount Illampu. The Altiplano itself cradles Lake Titicaca which is not only South America’s largest lake stretching 800 meters long and 130 meters wide, but additionally the World’s highest navigable lake with a surface elevation of a whopping 3,657 meters. Not far east of Lake Titicaca, Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz is located a towering 3,631 meters above sea level making it the world’s highest national capital. Drained by the Desaguadero River, which flows into Lake Poopó, the Altiplano is an inland drainage basin. Temperatures in the Altiplano are moderate so maize (corn) and wheat can be grown there. Grass and shrubs dominate the Altiplano’s plant life and llamas and alpacas are the native wildlife. Overall, the Altiplano is an immense and immaculate geographical region of Bolivia jam-packed with unique sites and cities.