Hello friends! Today again about Nicaragua. I am sure that after my exciting stories about this mysterious country, you are already actively storming the search engines in the hope of snatching a cheap air ticket to Managua (the capital of Nicaragua)! :))) I continue to write what to do in the poorest country in Central America. In the last post, I already started a story about the main attraction of Nicaragua, told about the ferry on Ometepe, the Maderas and Concepción volcanoes, about how to rent a scooter there, find housing and about the main cities, and today I’ll tell you about the island beaches, Lake Nicaragua and the shark bull.
Ometepe Island is located in Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Latin America by area. Initially, they wanted to build a canal connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean not in Panama, but on the territory of Nicaragua, because the Nicaraguan lake is already connected to the Caribbean Sea by the San Juan River, but due to strong volcanic activity, the idea of \u200b\u200bbuilding remained just an idea, but in all functions and earns money for his country, and at the same time for the United States of America. True, the Panamanians have been balking lately, so talk of building a new canal across Lake Nicaragua is popping up more and more often. 
Lake Nicaragua is also notable for the fact that one of the most dangerous animals in the world lives in it - the bull shark. This type of shark is considered the most bloodthirsty, because it can attack a person near the shore, even at a depth of half a meter. This is the only shark species that lives in fresh water. The fact is that earlier Lake Nicaragua was part of the Pacific Ocean, but due to constant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, an isthmus of land was formed, cutting off the modern territory of the lake from the sea. Over time, the water was desalinated thanks to the flowing rivers, and the sharks got used to the new conditions and live happily ever after. 
The Indians of Nicaragua are to blame for the fact that animals bite people, who for a long time sacrificed corpses on the Caribbean coast, which attracted sharks. Over time, the bull shark moved inland along the San Juan River and took root in the lake. Even today, few people visit the Indians living on the Caribbean coast, so it is quite possible that they continue to throw someone's corpses into the water, because new sharks continue to swim from the Caribbean Sea into Lake Nicaragua.
Found a video on youtube. The bull shark (Spanish for tiburón) appears at the 50th second.
Animals, poor fellows, do not know that a hunt has been announced for them, and the government of the country strongly encourages catching bull sharks in Lake Nicaragua. Despite the fact that the main cases of shark attacks on people have been recorded off the coast, this does not bother the inhabitants of Nicaragua, and they come every evening to swim in the lake before sunset. 
One day on Ometepe we rented a bike for half a day for $4 and went to the beach Punta Jesus Maria(Punta Jesus Maria), which is south of the largest city on the island- Moyogalpa, drink beer and hang out in the lake. The distance of 4 km is overcome easily and with a song, the road is excellent, asphalted, fields with sugar cane along the way, palm trees are green, cicadas chirp so that it already lays ears. 
I didn’t succeed with floundering in the lake, the water is not at all transparent, and I’m afraid of bull sharks, so I decided to wait for the ocean - in a couple of days we planned to be in the Pacific. 
I liked the beach - black sand mixed with shells, a view of volcano concepción.
In the dry season, the lake is separated by a strip of sand a couple of meters wide. You walk along it, and on both sides there is water and waves. Amazing feeling, as if the water parted in front of you. 
A turtle washed up on the shore, which then did not move for several hours: it did not run on land and did not return to the lake. Most likely, like me, I was afraid of sharks. So we sat with her on the beach until the evening. 
Right next to the beach in a stall you can buy beer, rum and other drinks to make it more fun. 
Drinking alcohol is allowed on the beach, this is not Mexico. In Nicaragua, in principle, a lot of things are allowed. 
On the way to Punta Jesus Maria beach, you can see the construction of a new road. It looks like a future airport. 
I wrote about renting bicycles and motorcycles on Ometepe in a previous post. In the next article I will tell you how to rejuvenate yourself by 10 years in 5 minutes and what you should be afraid of on Ometepe more than bull sharks.
Good animals to you! Sincerely,
***
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It is found in the forest, and the shark is in the sea, we all know from early childhood. But, just as wolves can live in sandy or snowy deserts, sharks sometimes do pretty well in fresh waters.
Of the 550 species of these cartilaginous fish, approximately 15-20 swim in estuaries, river mouths, and sometimes rise quite high upstream.
One of the most famous serial attacks of sharks on humans took place just in the river. But - this is still not a typical behavior of marine predators, spending most of their time in salt waters. At the same time, there are some species that love coastal places more than others and often swim in shallow bays and the mouths of large rivers.
So, for example, such habits are inherent in a fairly well-known, which is also called bullish. This relatively slow and omnivorous predator is not averse to "feasting" on garbage or carrion, but at the same time quite often attacks a person, sometimes with fatal outcomes.
Watch video - Blunt shark:
Some other closely related species that are part of the vast group of gray sharks have similar habits. But, nevertheless, they are all marine inhabitants. Even the so-called "Ganges shark" is just a part of the population of fish that constantly live in the seas and only periodically enter the river.
So do freshwater sharks exist? Those who spend their whole lives in rivers or lakes, and breed there?
Freshwater sharks exist
It turns out yes.
At the same time, they are represented by the only species known to science. There is only one place on Earth in which purely freshwater sharks constantly live, and not some trifle, but very large predators, sometimes.
This lake is located in Central America and is called Nicaragua (just like the country in which it is located).
The lake is quite large (the largest in Mesoamerica). From its shores it is not far from the Pacific Ocean, with which, however, there is no direct water communication. But the San Juan River connects the reservoir with the Caribbean Sea.
There is a version that it is on this river that sea predators swim from the Atlantic.
Watch video - Freshwater sharks in the rivers:
But today, most researchers are of a different opinion. They believe that freshwater sharks have been apart for a very long time - since millions of years ago this former sea bay separated from the oceans.
But many local fishermen are sure that there are two types of sharks in the waters of Nicaragua. Allegedly, some live here permanently, while others sail down the river.
But ichthyologists do not confirm these stories, highlighting the Nicaraguan inhabitants in a special species of Carcharhinus nicaraguensis, which, however, is sometimes called the freshwater form of the bull shark.
Yes, and along the rapids of the San Juan, it would be quite difficult to climb even 200 kilometers separating the lake from the ocean. So, most likely, scientists are right - the predators, who were once marine inhabitants, really were able to fully adapt to these conditions.
It is interesting that in addition to sharks, Nicaragua also has freshwater sawfish, clinging fish and one type of large typical ocean herring.
And very close is another smaller lake called Managua, connected to the first small river. So, in it all these sea "guests" are not observed!
Features of freshwater sharks
However, let's leave these riddles to ichthyologists and move on to our shark. Representatives of this species grow up to 3 meters and even a little more. At the same time, as already mentioned, they often attack humans. They also hunt dogs.
Previously, even before the arrival of the Spaniards, several Indian tribes lived on the shores of the lake. Some of the local natives existed. They buried their dead in the lake, giving their bodies to be eaten by sharks.
Perhaps this was done in order to appease the predators or the spirits that lived in the water.
Sending relatives to the afterlife, the Indians dressed them up, putting on, among other things, precious jewelry. This tradition existed for quite a long time even after the official adoption of Christianity.
One story says that one of the white settlers who lived nearby decided to take advantage of the situation and hunted sharks, extracting jewelry from their stomachs. As the legend says, he managed to get rich, but he no longer took advantage of wealth.
The Indians killed him and then burned down the house. Today, of course, it is no longer honored.
Many locals themselves . In the middle of the last century, the catches were quite large, and shark meat served as a good help for Nicaraguans, who were not very wealthy in their mass.
Relatives of the Nicaraguan freshwater shark enter many major rivers and shipping channels. Not far away, in the Panama Canal, one often meets its closest relative - the blunt-nosed shark. The same predator has been observed in the inland waters of Guatemala, Louisiana, Florida and elsewhere.
The Indian gray shark seems to enjoy attacking pilgrims in the Ganges and also appears in other rivers in Southeast Asia. And yet, all these vagrants, like a dozen and a half other species, spend most of their lives at sea.
And only the gray shark from the Central American Lake Nicaragua is the only full-fledged freshwater inhabitant among all its close and distant relatives.
Lago de NicaraguaNicaragua is the only freshwater lake in the world where sharks live. In view of this fact and due to the short distance to the Pacific Ocean, scientists believe that the area on which the lake is now located used to be a large sea bay. Over time, the passage to the sea was closed and a lake was formed, in which sharks still live.
Nicaraguans call it Lago Cocibolca or Mar Dulce (Sweet Sea). Indeed, it differs from the sea only in freshwater and isolation. Like the sea, there are strong waves here that raise easterly winds blowing westward towards the Pacific Ocean. There are whole groups of islands on the lake, such as Ometepe and Solentiname. Powerful storms periodically occur on the lake.
Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, there were plans to build the Nicaraguan Canal across the lake to pass from one ocean to another. With the completion of the Panama Canal, Nicaraguan projects have become less relevant, but the idea of new construction pops up from time to time.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .
See what "Lake Nicaragua" is in other dictionaries:
Republic of Nicaragua, state in the Center. America. Named after the lake Nicaragua, and it is after the Nicarao Indian tribe that lived on its shores; the element gua, which does not have an unambiguous translation, is widely represented in the aboriginal toponymy of all Latin America ... Geographic Encyclopedia
Nicaragua isp. Lago de Nicaragua Coordinates: Coordinates ... Wikipedia
Nicaragua- Nicaragua. Volcano Momotombo. NICARAGUA (Republic of Nicaragua), a state in Central America, is washed in the southwest by the Pacific Ocean, in the east by the Caribbean Sea. The area is 130 thousand km2. Population 4.27 million people, mostly Nicaraguans ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
Nicaragua- (Nicaragua) State of Nicaragua, geography and history of Nicaragua, political system Information about the state of Nicaragua, geography and history of Nicaragua, political system Contents Content Nature Population Political structure ... ... Encyclopedia of the investor
How many more unexplored corners on our planet, where nature presents unexpected gifts, captivates and impresses! And if you just think about the fact that almost 90% of the reservoirs have not been explored at all, then it becomes even a little scary. What is hidden in the azure depths? Like Lake Nicaragua?
"Sweet Sea"
Local residents are accustomed to the proximity of their lake and have not thought about its secrets for a long time. They call it the "sweet sea". I wonder why? Because of the sweetness of fresh water? Or the immensity of its edges? The population of Granada calls the reservoir the Lake of Granada, but the rest of the planet knows only Lake Nicaragua, or Lago de Nicaragua. This is one of the largest reservoirs in the world and the only source of fresh water in all of Latin America. The dimensions are impressive, the view is beautiful, but the unusual inhabitants make you nervous. Only here you can see sea creatures, despite the fact that this is a lake. Scientists believe that the presence of ichthyofauna in the lake clearly proves the fact that Nicaragua was previously part of the Pacific Gulf. Why has everything changed?
After volcanic eruptions
It turns out that earlier the reservoir was open, but tectonic changes and numerous volcanic eruptions provoked the flow of lava into the strait. So, part of the ocean separated and turned into an inland reservoir that fenced off the inhabitants from the outside world. Slowly but surely, freshwater streams were crowded out, but you can’t just evict them. Gradually they had to adapt to the new conditions. Among these opportunists were sharks. By the way, the existence of the latter has not yet been practically proven, since their adaptation to fresh water is highly doubtful. Some doubt that sharks live in Lake Nicaragua, arguing that accidentally encountered marine predators come here from the ocean, leaving behind a distance of 200 km and traveling along the San Juan River. Then there is another question - what attracts sharks here?
Mystery for all time
The freshwater shark of Lake Nicaragua haunts scientists around the world with its habitat, but the Indians can answer this question. They believe that sharks "paved a path" into the lake many centuries ago, and the reason was the ancient ritual to bring the dead to water. The bodies floated into the ocean and became the prey of predators. So, sharks got used to the taste of human meat and did not want to give up such a “diet”. Now they do not feel fear when swimming in shallow water, where it is easier to attack the victims. The problem has become more complicated every year, which has led to the introduction of extreme measures to destroy toothy fish.
Paradise for a tourist
Lake Nicaragua has long been a tourist destination. And they are not even afraid of the threat of being bitten. Adults and even children boldly climb into the water, however, in compliance with certain security measures. For example, you can not be distracted and forget about the threat. You can not swim with an open wound or during menstruation. In short, if you are seduced by the opportunity to dive into Nicaragua (lake), sharks will not be a serious hindrance. Tourists come to the town of Granada, which is located next to the reservoir. This is an amazingly atmospheric place that beckons with walks and adventures. By the way, the walk will not be tiring, because the town is quite small. In the central park, you can try the famous Nicaraguan dish Vigoron, and excursion carriages go to the lake. The trip will take no more than twenty minutes. Lake Nicaragua beckons with its magic. It is one of the twenty largest lakes in the world.
Educational tour
If you come to Lake Nicaragua with a large company, then it is profitable to rent a separate boat for an hour or more. The rental price is symbolic - only $ 13, but you will have to bargain, because at first the price is unacceptably high. The islands near Granada were bought by the local rich. These are mainly summer residences, since the islands are just tiny and are unlikely to fit more than one house. It turns out that one island is one villa. Some of them can be rented for the weekend, and for a large company or several families. The amount is also very pleasant - $ 300 for a house for the weekend. There are many monkeys in some lands. They are almost not afraid of people, but they also do not pay much attention - only 3-4 individuals come to feed. In general, walks around the islands are informative and interesting. There are unusual and bright ones, similar to which slowly and importantly walk along the ground, sweeping it with their tails.
And now it's time to pay attention directly to Lake Nicaragua.
Description of the reservoir: its charms and beauty
A beautiful picture - the water surface, reminiscent of a mirror. It has surprisingly clean air and the largest reserves of fresh water in Latin America. The maximum depth of the lake reaches 70 meters, and the area here is almost 8600 square meters. By the way, here is the border with Costa Rica. The lake is connected to the Caribbean Sea by the San Juan River, and fresh water flows from many rivers and streams. The most full-flowing is the Tipitapa River, which flows from Lake Managua. Scientists believe that the reservoir appeared on the site of the ancient Pacific Bay. Now the bay has been transformed, but the connection with the past remains. It manifests itself in the unique inhabitants of the reservoir, which are called the sharks of Nicaragua. You can’t find these anywhere else, because this individual is a close relative of the gray
Scary visions
A truly shocking sight can be the legendary bull shark. Even without seeing it, but only after hearing the stories, you can give free rein to your imagination. And this type is also distinguished by ease of adaptation to desalinated water and can hide for a long time in river mouths. The dimensions of such a "nibbler" are simply indecent, and the danger to a person is serious. They say that they are just not indigenous, but swam here and could not swim away after the volcanic eruption. Many scientists actively object to this position, saying that the bull shark can jump over the San Juan rapids like a salmon. To prove their assumptions, they cite the presence of this type of shark in the open ocean. It has even been found that the voyage of sharks from the lake to the sea and back can take anywhere from a week to 11 days. This is how terrible Lake Nicaragua can be, and the bull shark is found in it quite often, according to the stories of local residents.
Ecology and problems
In general, the lake remains a unique body of water, but its location causes some concern for environmentalists, because it is polluted by sewage from nearby industrial plants. According to statistics, over the past 37 years, at least 30 tons of untreated sewage has entered the lake every day. The marine fauna and flora of the reservoir are very diverse. Water lilies bloom here and fish swim, which are more likely to live in salty waters. These are sawfish, herring, tarpons and even sawfish rays.
The process of self-purification takes place in the lake, and all the dirt from the drains that enters the water goes away. The reservoir has its own special character: in the east, the water is calm and quiet, but in the west, the influence of the trade winds is manifested, and constant strong ripples are observed. Powerful storms are not uncommon.
Not all islands in the lake are inhabited. The largest was formed on the basis of two volcanoes, which is reflected in the name - Ometepe ("ome" - two, "tepe" - mountain). In 2010, the territory of this island was recognized as a biosphere reserve. In the west, there is also a third volcano - Mombacho. In general, volcanoes on the lake became the cause of clogging with ash.
The population here is represented mainly by mestizos. These are the descendants of the Indians who lived here in ancient times. They are mainly engaged in agriculture - they grow coffee, bananas and cocoa. Part of the plantations is located on the islands, where the earth is covered with volcanic ash, which, by the way, is very useful for crops.
Helm-bearing basilisks crawl along the banks. These are large lizards that run on their hind legs and can walk on water. It turns out that Lake Nicaragua and its scary inhabitants can be pretty cute.
On the island of Solentiname there are rocks with ancient drawings. Almost a hundred varieties of parrots and toucans are found on the local islands.
It seems that this is a paradise, but even in paradise there were difficulties. So what can be expected from the earth?
Lake Nicaragua is the largest fresh water reservoir in Latin America. Its area exceeds 8600 sq. km, and the maximum depth is almost 70 meters. It is located in the Central American state of the same name, in the southwestern part of the country, almost on the border with Costa Rica. The surface of the lake is 32 meters above sea level.
1. Lake Nicaragua is connected to the Caribbean Sea by the navigable San Juan River. Fresh water is supplied by numerous rivers and streams, among which the most full-flowing is the Tipitapa River, which flows from Lake Managua.
2. Lake Nicaragua, according to scientists, was formed on the territory of the Gulf of the Pacific Ocean that existed in antiquity.
3. Lake Nicaragua ranks first in surface area among freshwater lakes in Latin America and second among all lakes in Latin America.
4. Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake in the world where sharks live. This shark has its own scientific name: the Nicaraguan shark Carcharhinus nicaraguensis.
5. In addition to sharks, such marine life as swordfish and tarpon, similar to a very large herring, live in Lake Nicaragua.
6. There are more than three hundred small and large islands in the water area of the lake, the largest of which is Ometepe Island with an area of 276 sq. km. On about. Omatepe has two volcanoes - Maderas and Concepcien
7. The largest city on the coast is Granada. This is one of the oldest cities in Latin America, founded by Europeans (founded in 1524).
8. In the middle of the XVII century. pirates passed by the river to the rich Granada and besieged it three times.
9. Since the 16th century, Ometepe Island has been chosen by pirates hiding there from the persecution of the Spanish authorities, and because of this, the local population was forced to move higher to the slopes of volcanoes.
10. Archaeological monuments of pre-Columbian civilizations - petroglyphs and stone idols - created, at the latest, in the 2nd millennium BC, have been preserved on the island of Ometepe. e.
11. The Nicaraguan shark can reach a length of 4 meters, the average length of a shark is 2-2.5 meters.
12. In July 2014, the route of the Nicaraguan Canal between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans was approved, which will pass through Lake Nicaragua. Construction began on December 22, 2014.
13. On the coast of the lake there are many large lizards (helmeted basilisks), which calmly move on their hind legs.
14. The lake has several different names. The natives called it Coquibolca, the Spanish conquerors - the Sweet Sea, at the same time, immigrants from Granada - gave it the name Granada.
15. The reservoir was discovered in 1523 by an expedition of Spanish conquistadors led by Gilei Gonzalez Avila.
