On Lake Titicaca in Peru, people called the Uros, live on islands made of living reeds that float in the lake. Hundreds of years ago they were forced to create these floating islands when the Incas expanded onto their land.
There are over 50 floating islands, each with about 4 or 5 families living on them.
The Uros use the totora reed, which is plentiful along the edges of the lake, to make their homes, their furniture, their boats, and the islands they live on. The islands are fixed in place by long stakes that are shoved through the reeds to the bottom of the lake, 60 feet deep. If they want to move they can pull up the stakes and push the island around.
Once a week the top layer of reeds needs to be replenished as they rot from underneath.
by Jill Scoby
These boats are also made from reeds.
By Marivi Jimenez
Thanks to Myates at www.travelpod.com for the travel blog.