Lake Nicaragua Largest Lake in Central America

Lake Nicaragua

Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca or Granada (Spanish: Lago de Nicaragua, Lago Cocibolca, Mar Dulce, Gran Lago, Gran Lago Dulce, or Lago de Granada) is a vast freshwater lake in Nicaragua of tectonic origin. With an area of 8 264 km², it is the largest lake in Central America, the 20th largest lake in the world and only slightly smaller than Lake Titicaca. With an elevation of 32 m (105 ft) above sea level, the lake reaches a depth of 26 m (84 ft). It is intermittently joined by the Tipitapa River to Lake Managua.

Lake Nicaragua, despite being a freshwater lake, has swordfish, tarpon, and sharks. Nicaraguans call the Lake Lago Cocibolca or Mar Dulce (literally, Sweet Sea; in Spanish, freshwater is agua dulce) The Lake Nicaragua shark, which is considered a race of bull shark by some, is found in Lake Nicaragua. It is stout, blunt-nosed, gray in colour, and grows to 2.5 to 3 m.

El Lake Nicaragua or Lake Cocibolca (8624 km2), is the second largest lake in Latin America, after Lake Titicaca (they have practically the same area). From one shore one cannot see the other. One sees the blue horizon as if it were the sea, and as the water is fresh, the Nicaraguans have named it "the Sweet Sea". In fact, it has everything it needs to be a sea: waves, archipelagos of islands and the only fresh water sharks in the world. Like any other sea, it has powerful storms and no one dares to cross it when one of these passes through.

The indigenous tribes who referred to the lake as Cocibolca (a nahautl word) have most likely used the lake for many practical purposes: the fish supplied food and the fresh water was used for cleaning and consumption. The lake’s water could also serve for irrigation, and the islands inside the lake offered a great, secluded area for living. The Spanish conquerors who first saw the lake thought this immense body of water was a sea, for it has many oceanic qualities: large waves, heavy storms, and nothing but water at the horizon. The lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Latin America, has been an important link for many years between inland Nicaragua and the Caribbean Sea, and the colonial city of Granada located on the northwestern shore of the lake was the first Nicaraguan city to be established by Spanish conquerors in 1524. As transportation methods modernized the lake lost importance as strategic link between the Pacific and the Caribbean, but its natural beauty and environmental importance remain important qualities not only for Nicaragua but also for Central America.

A volcanic chain cuts right through Lake Nicaragua, and this has resulted in the creation of many beautiful islands and groups of islets. Probably the most famous island is Ometepe, a 276 km² tropical island located 10 kilometers off the mainland at the western side of the lake. The island is composed of two volcanoes: Maderas and Concepción. These two impressive volcanoes are surrounded by fertile soil where nature abounds. For sport and adventure the island offers a great array of possibilities, including volcano hiking, biking, surfing, fishing, kayaking, and swimming. The tropical forests and natural reserves make it furthermore a great place for hikers and nature lovers.

Another volcanic island is situated not far away from Ometepe, and even closer to the mainland. Zapatera is the name of this island, and like Ometepe Island this was another indigenous sanctuary. Hundreds if not thousands of artifacts have been found here, and pre-Columbian statues and other objects from Zapatera are now on display at several museums. Official, thorough scientific investigations of these archeological objects have never taken place though, and the island remains fairly unexplored. A few small settlements are present at this rather undeveloped island. Some basic lodging possibilities offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy the stunning beauty of the untouched nature, superb panoramic views, and rustic lifestyle of the inhabitants.

Map of Lake