Ometepe
| Ometepe | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Waters | Lake Nicaragua | |
| Geographical location | 11 ° 30 ′ N , 85 ° 35 ′ W | |
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| surface | 270 km² | |
| Highest elevation |
Concepción 1610 m |
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| Residents | 29,684 (2005) 110 inhabitants / km² |
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| main place | Altagracia | |
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Ometepe ( Spanish Isla de Ometepe ) is an island in Lake Nicaragua and with around 270 km² the world's largest volcanic island in a freshwater lake. It is located in the Rivas Department of the Republic of Nicaragua in Central America. 29,684 people live on Ometepe (May / June 2005 census).
There are numerous petroglyphs on the island .
geography
The largest towns on the island are the island capital Altagracia (4081 inhabitants) and Moyogalpa (2905). These two places are also the administrative headquarters of the municipalities of the same name, between which the island is divided. In Altagracia there has been a museum with exhibitions on the island's history since 1994, in Sacramento in the administrative district of Moyogalpa there is a museum with archaeological finds from the island and other rooms in which the history of Nicaragua is illustrated using the currency of the respective epochs.
The two volcanoes Concepción (approx. 1610 m, last eruption 2010) and Maderas (1394 m, date of the last eruption not known) characterize the island and give it the shape of an eight.
The Concepción volcano, the higher of the two, is one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. Its slopes are partially covered with forest up to a height of 1000 m, but in other places bare due to landslides and scree. Between 1000 m and 1250 m the vegetation changes and alpine plants have priority. The last piece to the crater consists only of loose lava rubble. Due to its relatively regular eruptions, it contributes significantly to the fact that the soil on the island is very rich in nutrients and is ideal for agriculture.
The Maderas volcano is extinct and as a result overgrown with dense forest up to the crater, which develops into a cloud forest at the top. Ardisia ometepensis is also found on its slopes , a species of tree that can only be found on Ometepe. There is a lagoon in the crater and there is a waterfall on the south side in San Ramon.
A special feature of the island is the different types of sandy beaches: On the one hand you encounter black sand made of volcanic rock, on the other hand you can enjoy almost the typical character of Caribbean sandy beaches at Playa Santo Domingo , on the isthmus between the two volcanoes.
Language and culture
The name Ometepe comes from Nahuatl and is composed of the terms ome (two) and tepetl (mountain, hill), which refer to the two volcanoes.
The Fiesta St. Anna takes place in Moyogalpa every July . In addition to bullfights and the election of Miss Moyogalpa, processions take place in the city. These so-called Fiestas Patronales are held in honor of the city and village saints. In Altagracia these take place in mid-November. Smaller places also celebrate these festivals, which last an average of 2 weeks.
mythology
According to legend, the islands of Ometepe and Zapatera as well as Lake Nicaragua emerged from a tragic love story: this is how the respected Nagrando fell in love with the beautiful chief daughter of a neighboring tribe named Ometeptl . Both Indian tribes, however, were at odds over territorial claims and power issues. According to ancestral law, love between warring tribes was forbidden. The couple therefore soon had to flee their home villages and hid in a valley. However, since their love was not kept secret, they were persecuted by their tribesmen. Finally, out of desperation, both decided to commit suicide and opened their wrists. Ometeptl fell backwards, Nagrando stumbled a few more steps and fell down too. The blood of both filled the valley and covered their bodies - today's Lake Nicaragua. Of Ometeptl's body, only her breasts protrude above the water level, today's volcanoes Concepción and Maderas. From the body of Nagrando, one can only see, a little further away, the tips of the island of Zapatera .
economy
Agriculture has traditionally been an important factor in the region. In particular, the cultivation and sale of plantains to all of Central America determines this sector, but sesame , watermelons and tobacco are also grown. The tourism became economically increasingly important in recent years, which in the future through the airport under construction in Moyogalpa will be promoted.
Partnerships
The German city of Herne has been twinning with the island of Ometepe since 1988 . Nicaraguan and German partners founded the socio-medical Ometepe Project Nicaragua (POA) in Santo Domingo in 1993 , which works primarily in the areas of education and health.
Another partnership exists with the American island of Bainbridge Island .
Web links
- Ometepe travel guide
- Association for the promotion of partnership relationships of the city of Herne eV - Ometepe section
- Ometepe Project Nicaragua - Partnership Project for Education and Health
- Bainbridge Ometepe Sister Islands Association
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from April 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
