The Uru or Uros are an indigenous people of Bolivia and Peru. They live on a still-growing group of about 120 self-fashioned floating islands in Lake Titicaca near Puno. They form three main groups: the Uru-Chipaya, Uru-Murato, and Uru-Iruito. The Uru-Iruito still inhabit the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca and the Desaguadero River.
Uros harvesting totora on Lake Titicaca near the city of Puno.
Uros island view
Uro man pulling boat made of reeds
The Uros Floating Islands as seen from the air, about 5 km (3.1 mi) off the coast of Puno.
A floating island is a mass of floating aquatic plants, mud, and peat ranging in thickness from several centimeters to a few meters. Floating islands are found in many parts of the world. They exist less commonly as an artificial phenomenon. Floating islands are generally found on marshlands, lakes, and similar wetland locations, and can be many hectares in size.
Natural floating island on small lake in Finnish Lakeland
Uros island in Lake Titicaca
Floating island La Rota in Posta Fibreno lake, Italy
Circular phumdis, called athampum, were artificially built for fishing in Loktak Lake