Landforms of Nicaragua

The Gulf of Fonseca, a sheltered inlet of the Pacific Ocean, is a gulf in Central America that is bounded in the northwest by El Salvador, the northeast by Honduras and the southeast by Nicaragua. Notable among the islands in the gulf are Zacate Grande, El Tigre and Meanguera.

Lake Managua (or Lago Xolotlán) is a lake in Nicaragua. Managua, the nation's capital, lies on its southwestern shore, and the Momotombo Volcano is on its northwestern shore. The lake is economically significant: its waters yield fish and alligators and are plied by shallow-draft vessels.

Lake Nicaragua is the largest of several freshwater lakes in Nicaragua as well as the largest in Central America. Located in southwest Nicaragua, it is the dominant physical feature of the country. There are more than 400 islands in the lake.

Ometepe is an island in southwest Nicaragua, formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua. It is the lake's largest island. Two imposing volcanoes, Maderas and Concepción, define its topography. The island has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The Solentiname Islands are an archipelago located in the southeastern part of Lake Nicaragua. They are made up of four larger islands: Mancarroncito, Mancarrón, San Fernando and La Venada. Along with some 32 smaller islands with rocky headlands, they afford shelter to numerous aquatic birds.