Nicaragua, Lake

Lake in southwest Nicaragua, the largest in Central America; area 8,250 sq km/3,185 sq mi. It is 24 km/15 mi from the Pacific Ocean and drains into the Caribbean at San Juan del Norte via the Río San Juan. It is a freshwater lake inhabited by a variety of salt-water fish including shark and swordfish. The lake contains about 310 small islands, most of which are inhabited. The largest island, Ometepe, has two volcanoes: Concepción (1,610 m/ 5,282 ft), and Madera (1,394 m/4,573 ft). Lake Managua to the north drains into Lake Nicaragua via the River Tipitapa. The area is ecologically important for many rare and colourful birds.