Inle Lake is about 20 km long and 8 km wide and is surrounded by a high plateau with numerous villages inhabited mainly by fishermen and farmers. The lake itself is shallow – only 2 to 3 metres deep – and covered by seaweed, a perfect environment for the wide variety of floating flower and vegetable gardens to grow in. The lake is also home to silk and lotus weaving craft shops on stilts and wide range of bird species.