Lake Atitlán

Located in a caldera

The Lago de Atitlán is the second largest lake in Guatemala. It is located in the department of Solola and is known for its fauna and flora.

General

The lake has an area of ​​130 km ², from east to west about 18 km long and is located about 1560 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by three volcanoes Tolimán, Atitlán and San Pedro. Around the lake there are smaller settlements, hotels and the Solola region. The residents of the lake are mostly indigenous (Mayan ), in the north Cakchiquel ( capital of Solola ) and in the south Tzutuhil (main places Santiago Atitlán and San Pedro la Laguna ). The most important town on Lake Atitlan Panajachel is. The water temperature varies depending on the season 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. The name means place Atitlán with plenty of water.

The Lago de Atitlán is the livelihood of many inhabitants of the surrounding villages, which also attracts many tourists because of its beauty and as a freshwater reservoir ensures continuous crops and is also very rich in fish. The lake was completed in 1955 to the Nature Park.

Formation

The lake lies in a crater ( caldera ), which was created by the explosion of a huge volcano. Over time, the water level of the lake has risen since the valley has no natural drainage. The deepest point of the old crater rim is located in the southeast at San Lucas Tolimán. Since a 1976 earthquake, the water level dropped by more than 10 m ( July 2006).

Domestic Animals

Lakeside Puma is native, but it is considered rare. The formerly living here Atitlántaucher ( Podilymbus gigas) is extinct due to the suspension of non-native fish and the increasing population since 1989.

Climate

The climate is stable throughout the year and complies with the spring. Rainfall is rare, because the Pacific clouds rain down on the western slopes of the volcanoes.

Regularly occurring on the lake, strong winds called Xocomil. Legend is an unfortunate prince who his mistress, who was killed during a boat trip on the lake investigated.