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Lake Izabal

 
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Lake Izabal
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Lake, Guatemala. The country's largest lake, it occupies the lowlands in northeastern Guatemala. Fed by the Polochic River, it drains through the Dulce River into the Caribbean Sea. It lies only 26 ft (8 m) above sea level and has an area of 228 sq mi (590 sq km). The main settlement on its shores is El Estor, which originated as a trading outpost of the United Fruit Company.

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Lake Izabal
Lake Izabal - from space
from space
Coordinates 15°30′00″N 89°10′00″W / 15.5°N 89.1667°W / 15.5; -89.1667Coordinates: 15°30′00″N 89°10′00″W / 15.5°N 89.1667°W / 15.5; -89.1667
Primary  inflows Polochic River
Primary  outflows Río Dulce
Basin  countries Guatemala
Surface area 589.6 km²[1]
Max. depth 18 m
References [1]

Lago de Izabal, also known as the Golfo Dulce, is the largest lake in Guatemala with a surface area of 589.6 km² (145,693 acres or 227.6 sq mi) and a maximum depth is 18 meters (59 ft). The Polochic River is the largest river that drains into the lake. The lake which is only a metre above sea level drains into the Gulf of Honduras of the Caribbean Sea through the smaller Golfete Dulce which is at sea level and the navigable Rio Dulce.

The well preserved colonial Castillo de San Felipe de Lara guarded this lake against pirate attacks, and there are some ancient sunken ships nearby. It is home to several species including the manatee, jaguar, spider monkey and howler monkey, and is a wonderful place for birdwatching.

References

  1. ^ a b INSIVUMEH. "Indice de lagos". http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt/hidrologia/lagos.htm. Retrieved 2008. 

External links


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