Diario las Américas., 1958-05-15
Knowtthy
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By RUIZ

KNOW THY NE1GHBOR Frances
NICARAGUAY - Lake Nicara-
qua is, no doubt, the dominant
physical feature of this, the largest
of the Central American Republics.
It is generally believed that for
many centuries, perhaps thousands
of years ago, Lakes Managua and
Nicaragua were part of an ocean
bay, and that one or many volcanic
eruptions closed the entrance and
the bay became part OF the Cen
trail American Isthmus holding
the two lakes, which are connect
ed by the Tipitapa River. 1t IS
presumed that the fish thus trap
ped adapted themselves to the wat
eT as it gradually became less and
less salty and, with this process,
Nicaragua has the distinction of
being the only country in the
world having typical salt water
fish, such as sword fish and
sharks, living in fresh water. Lake
Nicaragua is above 40 feet lower
than its neighbor to the north,
due to the fact that the level of
Lake Managua was raised by the
eruption of the Momotombo vol
cano, back in 1909.
The aborigines who inhabited
that ZONE called the lace "Coci-
bolca", and the Spaniards gave it
the name of "Mar Dulce" or
Fresh Water Sea. Today it is more
commonly called the "Gran Lago"
or Great Lake by the majority Of
Nicaraguans. 1t is 100 miles long
and As miles wide at its widest
point. The largest island in the
lake is Ometepe, surmounted by
two high volcanic peaks, one of
which, Conception, erupted as re-
Gently as 1914. Hundreds of other
smaller islands, known as LAS Is
las, dot the lake near Granada
with their exuberant green vegeta-
ton and tropical fruit trees. Some
of these islands are inhabited. The
lake is drained by the San Juan
River, which flows from the south
ern end to the Caribbean.
A boat trip down the river is
very interesting and presents bea-
utiful vistas of virgin jungle, in
which the visitor can see exotic
beautiful flowers and plants, as
well as birds of vivid plumage, and
affords the opportunity to visit the
historical ruins of ancient fortress
ses which once defended the lake
against invasion and attacks by the
much feared English, Dutch and
French pirates.
Halfway down the river, be-
tween San Carlos and San Juan
del N0rte, the visitor may see
the ruins of the old and famous
fortress Gel Castillo de la Con-
cepcion," where Nicaragua's hero
inc, 19year old Rafaela Herrera,
audaciously and heroically repuls-
ed an attack by an English pirate
in 1892. 1t is said that, upon the
death of her father, who was Com
mander of the fort, she took charge
OF the garrison and led the heroic
resistance which lasted three days,
during which time the English
ships captain was killed by can
non fire and the ship forced to
withdraw.
Another historic fortress on the
river is "El Castillo Viejo' or the
Old Castle, where, in the year 1880
the 22-year old Lieutenant Hora-
clio Nelson, later to become the
hero OF Trafalgar, lost his eye
while commanding a besieging Bri-
fish force. Although the fort was
finally taken, the British were o o
forced to withdraw due to the
weakening Of their ranks by tropic-
al fever.
Small excursion boats can be
hired at Granada to take visitors
among the lovely islands, La Is
letas". Archaeologically interest
ing are la Isla Zapatera" and the
"Isla de los Muertos". Zapatera is
the cone of an extinct volcano, now
covered with lush tropical vegeta-
ton. Many large idols have been
found there, some of which can be
seen in the Central American
School In Granada, and in the
National Museum of Managua,
while others are displayed in the
American Museum of Natural His
tory in New York.
Spanish Version Page 3