Highlights
History
Known as the ‘Birthplace of the Sun’ by the Inca, Lake Titicaca is an incredible body of water that never fails to impress. Approximately 3,700 years ago, the indigenous race of the Uros migrated to Lake Titicaca and disregarded their language, along with any traditions that they had previously held. In order to avoid the Incas, the Uros people built mobile floating cities and towns on the lake, but many of the population were caught by the Inca and forced into slavery by them. The lake was home to many steamships from 1862 to 1931, but sadly, the ships are no longer in service.
Uros Floating Islands
The floating islands were created out of totora reed, the reeds woven together until the bases of the islands became two metres thick, which made them a strong and reliable structure. The structures were then joined to the bottom of the lake using long sticks and rope. Despite this, the reeds need to be swapped every three months when they start to die – if an island is well-maintained, it isn’t uncommon for it to last thirty years. Today, the islands are becoming more modern and use solar panels for electricity and even for powering their radio station.