Final answer:
Lake Titicaca, home to the Inca Indians, is located on the border of Peru and Bolivia. It's the highest-elevation navigable lake in the world and is surrounded by ancient terraced farms developed by pre-Inca and Inca civilizations. The moderate climate supported by the lake allowed for thriving agriculture in the high-altitude Altiplano region.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lake Titicaca and the Inca Civilization
Lake Titicaca, located on the high Altiplano, was indeed the home of the Inca Indians. This expansive freshwater lake straddles the border between Peru and Bolivia and holds the title as the highest-elevation navigable lake in the world. With a surface elevation of approximately 12,000 feet, Lake Titicaca is about 120 miles long and 50 miles wide, and it reaches depths of over 900 feet in certain areas.
The large body of water has a significant impact on the local climate. It acts as a solar energy collector, absorbing heat from the sun during the day and releasing it at night, thus moderating the temperature. This climate moderation has played an essential role in sustaining agriculture around Lake Titicaca, allowing for the cultivation of food crops even at high altitudes. This region, known for its terraced farms, was developed by the Tiwanaku and later expanded by the Incas, demonstrating sophisticated agricultural practices that included the utilization of fertilizers like guano.
Centuries of habitation in the Altiplano Region are evidenced by archaeological sites such as Tiahuanaco and the iconic terraces that outline the native cities. While many native cities have been reclaimed by nature over the centuries, sites like Machu Picchu offer a glimpse into the meticulous city planning and advanced agricultural techniques of the Inca. The Inca Empire flourished from the 14th to the 16th century, forming an imperialistic society that controlled a vast territory extending across the Andes from Ecuador to Northern Chile.