Geography of Lake Nicaragua
Nicaragua, Lake, a freshwater lake in southwestern Nicaragua. The largest lake in Central America, it is 100 miles (160 km) long and has a maximum width of 45 miles (72 km). The area is about 3,100 square miles (8,000 km2). Although it is separated from the Pacific Ocean by only 12 miles (19 km) of land, the lake drains into the Caribbean Sea 100 miles (160 km) to the east, through the San Juan River. The lake was once a part of the Pacific Ocean. Sharks, swordfish, and other fish normally found only in saltwater live in the lake.