Peru's
geography is reflected in its thousands of lakes
and lagoons, which,according to the environment,
feature their own particular characteristics.
The inter-Andean lakes are usually of tectonic
or glacial origins. One superb tectonic lake is
that of Lake Titicaca, which thousands of years
ago formed a vast inland sea together with the
lakes of Arapa and Yapupampa. Tectonic lakes
often teem with life forms. Lake Parinacochas,
in the department of Ayacucho, is famous for the
pink flamingoes which thrive there, while Junín
is home to Lake Paca and Lake Junín, in addition
to the picturesque towns steeped in history. The
most stunning of them all are the Llanganuco
Lakes in the department of Ancash, which split
the imposing peaks of Mount Huascarán and
Huandoy.
The waters of the jungle lagoons in the Amazon
are dark due to the amount of life forms and
high temperatures. Many of these jungle lakes
have formed in riverbeds and are fed by rainfall.
The largest of them is Rimachi, a surprisingly
lovely lake featuring floating islands and
treetrunks which shift during the day. The only
tectonic lake in the jungle is that of Sauce, in
the department of San Martín, which exposes
fertile land for local farmers when waters
recede.
Peru's waters also boast medicinal properties.
The seven lakes at Las Huaringas ("sacred lakes"
in the Quechua language) have been used since
pre-Hispanic times for magical and healing
ceremonies. Peru, after all, has been blessed
with hot springs and mineral baths which are
visited with fervor by the local population. The
most famous of Peru's hot springs are the Inca
Baths in Cajamarca, in the northern Andes, where
temperatures can reach 74°C. The hottest springs,
however, are found in Tacna to the south, which
the local townspeople have dubbed Caliente (Hot)
as it can reach a temperature of 98°C.
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