Laguna Brava | |
---|---|
Yolnabaj | |
Location | Nentón |
Coordinates | 16°03′00″N 91°34′00″W / 16.05000°N 91.56667°W |
Type | Karstic lake |
Primary inflows | Río Yalacastán |
Basin countries | Guatemala |
Max. length | 6 km (3.7 mi) |
Max. width | 1.2 km (0.75 mi) |
Surface area | 3.8 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
Surface elevation | 1,142 m (3,747 ft) |
Laguna Brava (Spanish for wild or rough lake, Spanish pronunciation: [laˈɣuna ˈβɾaβa]), also known as Yolnabaj is a karstic lake in Guatemala. It is situated in the municipality of Nentón (Huehuetenango), close to the border with Mexico. The lake is fed by several streams and subterraneous watercourses.[1]
The area around Laguna Brava has been inhabited by Mayan communities of the Chuj ethnicity since the 19th century.[2] In the year 2000 a conflict over land usage emerged between indigenous communities depending on the land, and the American owners that just acquired it in order to transform it into a nature reserve.[2]