10 Interesting Facts About Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is Guatemala’s third-largest freshwater lake and the deepest lake in Central America.

The lake’s surface spans 130 km² (50 mi²). Its estimated maximum depth is 340 meters (1,120 ft).

It formed around 84,000 years ago when the Los Chocoyos volcano erupted. The caldera left behind was filled with water from the nearby San Francisco and Quiskab rivers that still flow into the lake.

There are sunken, ancient Maya ruins in the lake. The sites were submerged around 250 A.D.

The indigenous Maya groups in the lake basin are the K’iche’e, Kaqchikel, and the Tz’utuiil.

There are 15 municipalities surrounding Lake Atitlan, with an estimated population of 350,000.

Around 70% of the population lives in poverty, and of those in poverty, 32% live in extreme poverty.

Tourism is the main income source for the communities of Lake Atitlan, followed by agriculture. Coffee, corn, beans, wheat, potatoes, sugar cane, and vegetables are grown in the lake basin.

The lake basin is home to 236 bird species, including the native Resplendent Quetzal and the endangered Horned Guan, and 141 species of mammals, like the Black-handed Spider Monkey.

The lake’s three surrounding volcanoes are named Atitlan, San Pedro, and Toliman.