Landforms of Nicaragua

The Central America Volcanic Arc is a chain of volcanic formations that extend from Guatemala to Northern Panama, parallel to the Pacific coastline of the Central American Isthmus. They range from major stratovolcanoes to lava domes and cinder cones.

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 (also known as Lake Xolotlán) is a lake in Nicaragua. The city of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, lies on its southwestern shore. At 1,035 sq km (400 sq mi), it is approximately 58 km (36 mi) long and 25 km (16 mi) wide.

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 Island is located in southwest Nicaragua, formed by two volcanoes rising out of Lake Nicargua. It is the lake's largest island. The two imposing volcanoes, Maderas and Concepcion, define its topography. The island was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 2010.

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.