- [Narrator] Lake Titicaca is home
to moveable floating islands that were created by humans
and where over 500 people still reside today.
(upbeat electronic music)
Living on not so solid ground isn't for everyone,
but a small South American tribe in Peru, known as Uros,
have created and maintained this unique way of life.
The community is made up of roughly 70 human-made islands
and one large central island, which is the hub for the tribe.
They use dried reeds that grow along the banks of the lake
and shape them into floating platforms and boats.
These platforms can be moved from the mainland if required,
which was originally a defense strategy to escape danger.
The reeds are interwoven densely
to be about 80 inches thick.
Large logs are attached through the reeds
and anchored to the river floor.
Over time the reeds tend to rot,
and so they are replaced four times each year.
The community is home to the new and old world.
The reeds are used as medicine and the flowers drunk as tea.
However, the solar panels are used
to help run some electrical appliances,
and the central island is home to a radio station.
Until the mid-'80s, the islands were located further out
in the lake and were inaccessible by visitors.
However, after a devastating storm,
the tribe as moved closer to land
and started welcoming tourists
to experience their way of life.
(upbeat electronic music)