Uros: The Floating Islands

October 28, 2006

The Uros people have lived for centuries on man-made floating islands on Lake Titicaca. The Uros fled into the lake to escape the attacks of the Colla and Inca cultures. These huge islands are made by hand from totora reeds that grow on the banks and shallower waters of the lake. Today there are more than 40 of these large islands with as many as 8 families living on each one. The islands contain homes, post offices and souvenir shops. Before the 1960’s these people had little contact with the outside world, but since then have grown dependent on tourism.