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Pictures from Lake Titicaca, Peru   Peru LAKE TITICACA
Pictures from the Uros Islands and Taquile Island in Peru
 
Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca, Peru
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca in Peru is over 170 kilometers long and lies almost 4000 meters above sea level.  The sun shines brightly through the thin air at this altitude and the lake appears to be a deep blue.  The Titicaca area is steeped in tradition and folklore and is the center of Inca creation legends.  One Inca myth tells how the god Viracocha created the sun and moon at Titicaca before fashioning humans from stone.		  
 
  The Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
The floating Islands of the Uros people of Lake Titicaca are formed from compacted beds of totora reeds.  Walking on these spongy, unstable islands is a strange experience.  The reeds are also used to construct huts and boats.  It is believed that the Uros people originally took to the reed islands of Lake Titicaca in an effort to isolate themselves from other groups such as the Incas.
 		  
Picture of the Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
Photo of reed boat, Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
Reed boats on Lake Titicaca.  The traditional method of building boats from buoyant totora reeds is maintained on the Uros Islands.
Picture of reed boat, Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
 
Photo from Uros Islands, Peru
Photo from Uros Islands, Peru
Intermarriage with Aymara Indians has now seen the demise of pure-blooded Uros, and in recent years the traditional way of life of the islanders has also changed.  Selling tapestries and other craft-work now provides a main source of income.
 		  

Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca
 
Photo from Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca
Photo from Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca
 
Picture from Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca, Peru Picture from Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca, Peru
About 25 kilometers from the shore of Lake Titicaca in Peru is beautiful Taquile Island.  The beauty of Taquile Island is enhanced by the blue waters of Titicaca and a backdrop of distant snow-capped mountains on the Bolivian side of the lake.  Taquile is also a very peaceful place undisturbed by vehicles.   
 
  The people of Taquile Island have a strong group identity and have maintained much of their cultural isolation.  Their fine traditional clothes reflect their weaving and knitting skills.  It is perhaps inevitable that times are changing on Taquile.  Solar panels have introduced electricity and television to some homes.  Meanwhile, younger people are being lured away from the island to a life in mainland towns of Peru.
Photo from Taquile Island Photo from Taquile Island
 
PERU: LAND OF THE INCAS
Pictures of people and Inca legacies in Cuzco, the former capital of the Inca empire.
PERU: MACHU PICCHU
Photos of the breathtaking 'lost city of the Incas' in Peru.
PERU: NAZCA AND PARACAS
Featuring the strange Nazca Lines and Ballestas Islands wildlife.  
OTHER DESTINATIONS
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ANCIENT PERU
Information about archaeological sites in Peru from the Great Outdoor Recreation Pages.
VIRTUAL PERU
The history, geography, culture and people of Peru.  By Monica Mennen-Vela and Govert-Jan Mennen.
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Travelogue and photos by Bruce Stumpf.
PERU 360
A tour around Peru by Studio360.  Includes pictures and QuickTime panoramas of Cuzco, Sacsayhuaman and Machu Picchu.
DESTINATION PERU
A Lonely Planet travel guide with information on history, culture and attractions.
ROUGH GUIDE TO PERU
The online version of the popular guidebook to Peru.