Honduras

Lake Yojoa is located in Northwestern Honduras. It is the Nation’s largest inland lake with an area of 110 square miles. The lake sits at an elevation of 2,133 feet amid forested mountains. It is also a popular tourist spot, with fishing and hunting in the area. The landmark is easily accessible from Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula as it is on the main highway. It is also the only lake in the country with volcanic origin. The lake was formed because of volcanic activity and looks like a boot sole from an ariel view. It is formed by 16 ecosystems giving habitat to 55% of birds, 44.2% of amphibians, and 43.6% of the reptiles present in the country. The area is protected by law, and provides shelter and habitat for species included in the IUCN Red List such as the critically endangered Guatemalan spikethumb frog. There are also vulnerable species living there such as the Geoffroy’s spider monkey and the Honduran emerald, a hummingbird. Some main threats to the beautiful landmark are deforestation, extensive farming, the advance of the agricultural frontier, and the introduction of exotic species. Lake Yojoa is very important to Honduras as a whole, containing many of the wonderful natural beauty of the country.