The Uru people build their own floating islands from reeds that rot and sink

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the high-altitude waters of Lake Titicaca, the Uru people live on artificial islands constructed entirely from bundles of dried totora reeds. These floating platforms are not permanent; they require constant maintenance and are rebuilt every twenty-five years as the base material naturally decomposes and sinks into the lake.

The Uru, an indigenous group residing in Bolivia and Peru, have historically maintained a unique existence on Lake Titicaca. Their islands are engineered from khili, a dense, floating root layer harvested from the lake, which is then covered with multiple layers of totora reeds. Because these organic materials decay, residents must add fresh reeds every two weeks to three months, a process that intensifies during the rainy season. Each island typically lasts about 25 years before the structure becomes too waterlogged to remain buoyant, necessitating the construction of a new settlement.

Originally, these floating islands served a defensive purpose, allowing the Uru to relocate their homes if threatened. Today, the lifestyle has evolved to integrate modern technology while preserving traditional customs. While the Uru once relied solely on hunting, fishing, and gathering, tourism from the nearby port of Puno has become a primary source of income. Many islands now feature solar panels, televisions, and even an Uru-run FM radio station. Despite these modern additions, the Uru continue to utilize the totora reed for various needs, including medicine, food, and insulation against the harsh Andean climate.

The Uru community has faced significant historical challenges, including conflict with the Aymara people and the loss of their original language about 500 years ago. Today, most Uru speak Aymara or Spanish. Although approximately 2,000 descendants were counted in a 1997 census, only a few hundred continue to maintain the floating islands. These structures, located 3,810 meters above sea level, remain a testament to the Uru's long-standing adaptation to their environment, blending ancient engineering techniques with the demands of contemporary life.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Floating islands are not just myths; they are drifting ecosystems that reshape our waters.
• Ancient Andean farmers engineered a climate-defying irrigation system that still works today
• The Purus River is one of the world's most crooked and mysterious waterways
• Humanity's deep connection to nature lives on floating reed islands
• Titicaca’s stone centre grew into an Andean city of 10,000
• Why the most walkable cities are designed to be more than just transit corridors.
• Why the study of cities is more than just architecture and urban design
• Is white flight a myth or a reality of modern urban demographic shifts?
• Why cities grow outward even when their populations shrink or stay the same
• How a 17th-century colonial rebellion helped forge the modern concept of white identity
• Can cities become self-sustaining ecosystems instead of just green spaces?
• A decorated general turned politician, Yair Golan advocates for a radical shift in Israel.

More in Urban studies and planning · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics