Totora boat

Uros island located on a lake titicaca, peru. Lake titicaca is the highest lake of the world, which is 4000 meters above sea level. Locals live by hunting, fishing and of tourist visits to the place. Titicaca lake becomes a significant population growth since the pre inca indian tribe, called uros tribe living in artificial islands made of floating reeds (totora). These islands have become a major tourist attraction for Peru, drawing drive from the lakeside town of puno. The purpose of the settlements on the island initially defensive, and if it appears the threat they could be moved. The island even supervised a watchtower made almost entirely of reeds.

Totora is a kind of native cattail growing in the lake. Solid roots into a top layer, which is decomposed to be replaced regularly to accumulate more reeds above the layer below. Changes in the size of the island territory more are created as needed. Surface islands uneven, thin, and walk in it feels like walking on a waterbed. And we must be vigilant in their stride so as not to fall on a thin layer of totora (reeds) that our feet do not vanish into lake

uros tribe also tend to use reeds as diet and medication, when
reed is pulled, the bottom of which is white is often eaten for iodine. Ethics sick, wrapped around a reed in pain to absorb it.
Also if it's hot outside, they roll out the white part of the reed in their hands and split open, put the reed on their foreheads. At this stage, it is very cold to the touch. The white part of the reed is also used to help relieve a hangover associated with alcohol. They also make reed flower tea. The food is cooked by the fire were placed in a pile of rocks.

Floating islands protected by puno bay and is home to over 2000 residents uros tribe. They live by fishing, weaving and now, in the tourism sector. They catch fish for themselves or sell it on the mainland. Uros also hunt birds such as gulls, ducks and flamingos, and menernaknya on the island. They also run a craft stalls devoted to the many tourists visiting during the 10 months in the first year.

Is a job that is not easy to keep this floating islands. Because of the occupants also deengan arrival of many tourists now, they have little time to keep everything, so they have to work harder to for the maintenance of their island. Tourism provides an opportunity for indigenous finances, while simultaneously slowly affect their traditional lifestyle.