The Uros People have built their own islands. Really!
They harvest the reeds that grow naturally in Lake Titicaca, in Northern Peru. Once the reeds have been allowed to dry in the warm sun, they pile them on top of the old reeds, making a thick, buoyant, bed of reeds. They also build their homes and boats out of reeds. When the reeds get too soggy and lose their buoyancy, they simply add more reeds.
By living on a floating island they avoid paying property taxes to the Peruvian government. They fish for sustenance and rely on tourism to bring in some much needed money to keep the families happy and healthy.
Location: Lake Titicaca, Peru