siltation of the lake (1 cm / year - 1.2 million cubic meters / year), and water diversion for agriculture and urbanization has reduced the size of the lake by 40 square kilometers, and 2.6 meters in depth. Other threats include untreated sewage, the introduction of exotic species, and chemical pollution. In February 2021, members of the Supreme Indigenous Council of Michoacán (CSIM) noted that political opportunism, corruption, and a lack of coordination have undermined efforts to clean up the lake. They noted that since 2006 MXN $5 billion has been spent, and since 1934, 2,300 studies have been conducted, yet 79% of the inhabitants of Pátzcuaro, Erongarícuaro, Quiroga, and Tzintzuntzan live in poverty and 40% in extreme poverty. Watershed In the watershed surrounding the wetlands, the natural terrestrial vegetation is composed of xeric scrub (1,920-2,100 m above sea level), pine and oak forests intertwined with xeric scrub (2,100-2,400 m) and by pure pine-oak forests in the higher peaks (2,400-2,900 m). The pine-oak forests are part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests ecoregion. In the last fifty years, human activity in the watershed has intensified. Farming and livestock ranching in the basin have significantly increased. Over 10,000 hectares of forest have been lost to logging, fires, fuelwood gathering, and clearance for farming and ranching. History The Lake Pátzcuaro basin is home to the Purépecha people. Purépecha leaders established the basin as the heartland of the Tarascan state, which rivaled the Aztec Empire before the Spanish conquest. The towns of Ihuatzio, Tzintzuntzan and Pátzcuaro were important Purépecha centers. Islands in the lake Jaracuaro Uranden - Small island. Janitzio - Island with tourist facilities Pacanda - The largest, flattest island. Cabanas for rent. Yunuen - Small island Tecuena - Sparsely populated island Major towns along the lake shore Pátzcuaro - Situated on the southeastern shore of Lake Patzcuaro Erongarícuaro - Historic Purépecha site Quiroga - Thriving market town Tzintzuntzan - Market town with ruins nearby - Capital of the P'urhépechas Minor towns along the lake shore Tocuaro - woodworking and maskmaking Opongio - mezcal distillery Puacuaro Arocutin Ihuatzio - ancient temple ruins called yacatas. Santa Fe La Laguna - crafts Cucuchuchu Uricho Napizaro Erongarícuaro Nearby areas Lake Zirahuén Santa Clara del Cobre References Patzcuaro Patzcuaro Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt Landforms of Michoacán Ramsar sites in Mexico Important Bird Areas of Mexico