Solentiname Islands | |
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Municipality | |
Coordinates: 11°12′N 85°2′W / 11.200°N 85.033°W | |
Country | Nicaragua |
Department | Río San Juan |
Area | |
• Total | 190 km2 (70 sq mi) |
• Land | 38 km2 (15 sq mi) |
Elevation | 257 m (843 ft) |
Population | |
• Total | 1,000 |
• Density | 5.3/km2 (14/sq mi) |
The Solentiname Islands (Spanish pronunciation: [solentiˈname]) are an archipelago towards the southern end of Lake Nicaragua (also known as Lake Cocibolca) in the Nicaraguan department of Río San Juan.
They are made up of four larger islands, each a few kilometres across, named, from west to east, Mancarroncito, Mancarrón, San Fernando and La Venada, along with some 32 smaller islands with rocky headlands which afford shelter to numerous aquatic birds. The islands’ origins are volcanic. The highest point in the islands is found on Mancarrón; it is 257 m (843 ft) above sea level. The Solentiname Islands are a National Monument. They constitute one of the 78 protected areas of Nicaragua.