Lake Nicaragua
Nicaragua, Lake,
3,089 sq mi (8,001 sq km), c.100 mi (160 km) long and up to 45 mi (72 km) wide, SW Nicaragua; the largest lake of Central America. It is drained into the Caribbean Sea by the San Juan River. Lake Nicaragua, along with Lake Managua (which drains into it from the northwest), occupies part of the Nicaragua Depression, an extensive lowland region stretching across the isthmus. Once part of the sea, the lake was formed when the land rose. There are several islands in the lake (the largest is Isla de Ometepe); and small volcanoes rise above its surface. The freshwater of Lake Nicaragua contains fish usually associated with saltwater, including tuna and sharks, which have adapted to the environmental change. The lake is a transportation route; GranadaGranada, city (1995 pop. 74,396), W Nicaragua, on Lake Nicaragua. It is Nicaragua's third largest city and the center of commerce on Lake Nicaragua. Located in a rich agricultural region, Granada has been the stronghold of Nicaragua's landed aristocracy; manufactures include
..... Click the link for more information. is its chief port. Located only 110 ft (34 m) above sea level, the lake reaches a depth of 84 ft (26 m). It was to be an important link in the proposed Nicaragua CanalNicaragua Canal,
proposed waterway between the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. One often considered route would be 172.8 mi (278 km) long and would generally follow the San Juan River, then go through Lake Nicaragua near the southern shore and across the narrow isthmus of Rivas
..... Click the link for more information. .
Nicaragua, Lake
a lake in Nicaragua, and the largest lake in Central America. It has an area of 8,430 sq km and a maximum depth of 70 m. The lake is situated in a tectonic depression at an elevation of 32 m. It receives the Tipitapa River, which flows out of Lake Managua. The San Juan River connects Lake Nicaragua with the Caribbean Sea. The coastline is for the most part low-lying. Ometepe Island, with a volcano of the same name, lies in the western part of the lake. The lake is used for navigation, and a plan has been proposed to incorporate it into an interocean canal.