The town of Tiwanaku is loacted on the southern bank of Lake Titicaca along the road to Desaguadero, about 74 km (46 miles) from La Paz, and 3880m (12730 ft) above sea level. The archeological ruins of Tiwanaku are concentrated about 500 meters outside town. They were once the ceremonial center and principal city of one of the largest pre-Inca cultures.