A much more interesting island to visit is Taquile, some 45 km from Puno, on which their are numerous pre-Inca and Inca ruins and Inca terracing. and was used as a prison during the Spanish Colony and well into the beginning of the 20th century. In 1970 it became property of the Taquile people The island is narrow, only about 1 km wide, and 6-7 km long. There is a cooperative shop on the island that sells exceptional woollen goods.
Taquiles have maintained their traditions and culture nearly unchanged for centuries, and are renowned in the area for their high-quality, colourful textiles. Furthermore, the Inca moral principles Ama Sua (Do not steal), Ama Quella (Do not lie), and Ama Lulla (Do not be lazy) are still observed by the inhabitants. Should one of the thousand plus inhabitants break these rules, the islands community authorities may even banish the lawbreaker as punishment.
