Islets of Granada

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The islets of Granada (Spanish: Isletas de Granada) are located in Lake Nicaragua, just southeast of the city of Granada in Nicaragua. The islets are a group of 365 small islands scattered about the Asese peninsula. The islets are of volcanic origin, [1] they were formed when the Mombacho volcano blew much of its cone into the lake thousands of years ago, thereby creating the archipelago. Most of the islets are covered with vegetation and rich with bird life. [2]

Spanish language Romance language

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Lake Nicaragua largest lake in Central America

Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca or Granada is a freshwater lake in Nicaragua. Of tectonic origin and with an area of 8,264 km2 (3,191 sq mi), it is the largest lake in Central America, the 19th largest lake in the world and the tenth largest in the Americas, slightly smaller than Lake Titicaca. With an elevation of 32.7 metres (107 ft) above sea level, the lake reaches a depth of 26 metres (85 ft). It is intermittently joined by the Tipitapa River to Lake Managua.

Granada, Nicaragua Municipality in Granada Department, Nicaragua

Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 123,697 (2012), it is Nicaragua's sixth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.

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Many of the islets are occupied. Some are privately owned and hold homes or vacation houses. There are facilities for the residents and for tourists. Hotels and shops are established on some of the islets, and boating tours are available.

Fort on the islets

The fort of San Pablo is located on the islets in Lake Nicaragua. The fort of San Pablo was built in order to protect the city of Granada from Pirates in the 18th century. The San Pablo Fort on the Islets has witnessed the battles and conflicts endured during the Colonial Period. [3]

Somoza's dictatorship and subsequent history

Many residents of the islands were forced to relocate to the mainland in the 1990s after having lived there for several generations. During Somoza's[ clarification needed ] dictatorship, members of his National Guard forced many locals to either sell their islands or risk being forcibly removed. After the Sandinista revolution, many of islands were returned to their previous owners. By 1990, when the Sandinistas lost power in a general election, land titles had yet to be provided to the residents. Working through the then anti-Sandinista court system, the islands were returned to family members of the original National Guard who had "confiscated" the islands. Some of these islands have been sold to wealthy Nicaraguans and foreigners, resulting in an uncertain future for the local Nicaraguans who have traditionally lived on the islands and nearby peninsula.

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Piracy on Lake Nicaragua

Between 1665 and 1857, Caribbean pirates and filibusters operated in Lake Nicaragua and the surrounding shores. The Spanish city of Granada, located on the lake, was an important trading centre for much of its early history so it was a prime target for pirates such as Henry Morgan and freebooters like William Walker.

References

  1. "Granada: The lake and the Islets" . Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  2. "THE ISLETAS" . Retrieved 2007-05-31.
  3. "Travel in Granada, Nicaragua: A country with a heart" . Retrieved 2007-05-31.

Coordinates: 11°54′07″N85°54′32″W / 11.902°N 85.909°W / 11.902; -85.909

Geographic coordinate system Coordinate system

A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. The coordinates are often chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position and two or three of the numbers represent a horizontal position; alternatively, a geographic position may be expressed in a combined three-dimensional Cartesian vector. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation. To specify a location on a plane requires a map projection.