Strait of Tiquina facts for kids
The Strait of Tiquina is a narrow waterway in Bolivia. It connects the two main parts of Lake Titicaca. Think of it like a bridge of water between two bigger sections of a lake.
Where is the Strait of Tiquina?
This strait is about 850 meters (or about half a mile) wide at its narrowest point. It links the larger upper part of Lake Titicaca, called Lake Chucuito, with the smaller lower part, known as Lake Wiñaymarka. Sometimes, Lake Wiñaymarka is also called "Lake Pequeño," which means "little lake" in Spanish.
Lake Titicaca itself is very famous. It's the largest lake in South America by how much water it holds. It sits high up in the Andes Mountains, right on the border between Bolivia and Peru.
To travel between the two sides of the strait, people use special boats. Buses and cars cross on large flat boats called barges. People often get off their vehicles and cross in smaller canoes. This crossing helps travelers save a lot of time. It avoids a long drive around the smaller part of Lake Titicaca. The crossing connects two towns: San Pedro de Tiquina and San Pablo de Tiquina.
Why People Want a Bridge
Sometimes, the road near the strait gets blocked by local people. They protest because they want a bridge built across the strait. They often protest when the fees for the ferry boats go up.
Local residents have been asking the government for a bridge for many years. They believe a bridge would make crossing the strait much easier, faster, cheaper, and safer for everyone. However, the people who operate the barges and the government have not agreed to build a bridge.
See also
In Spanish: Estrecho de Tiquina para niños
