View into the crater of the famous Santiago volcano near Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. The cone shows lively activity, which manifests itself in lava flows, bubbling fiery masses and clouds of smoke. All of these phenomena are accompanied by explosions, which, unlike the tourists, can hardly be impressed by the residents. - 1977

The volcano Mombacho dominates the Great Lake Nicaragua (or Lake Cocibolca). It is a freshwater lake and with an area of 8264 km² it is the largest in Central America. It has more than 400 islets, three islands and two volcanoes. It is also the only place that hosts freshwater sharks. - 1977

On a sugar cane plantation in Nicaragua. Like coffee trees, sugar cane is one of the most widespread industrial plants in the Central American republics. Their harvest is known as zafra. It involves thousands of farm workers who usually live permanently on the estate. However, if necessary, the owners can still hire a number of peones, who can be considered as seasonal workers. - 1977

A small-scale refinery in the village of Belén, Nicaragua. Similar establishments are found in large numbers in most tropical regions of the subcontinent. Immediately after the harvest, the sugar canes are brought by truck to the factory and then passed through huge crushing machines where a few indigenous people work. The juice that flows out is carefully collected in basins. It then undergoes a series of transformations that result in the production of a more or less refined sugar. Sugar cane is one of the main agricultural resources of certain regions of the Central American republics as well as of some neighbouring islands in the Caribbean Sea. The zafra takes place without interruption during the twelve months of the year. This work is mainly carried out by the blacks who were brought from Africa during the period of slavery for this very specific purpose. Indeed, the work is extremely arduous, as it is carried out under a blazing sun and in very high temperatures. It requires sustained physical effort that only the blacks, who are generally athletes, are able to provide. At the end of the harvest, the fields are burnt and a new cycle begins. - 1977

The great lake of Nicaragua (Cocibolca) has a total length of 170 kilometres. It is dominated by two volcanoes: Momotombo, which has an altitude of 1400 metres, and another much smaller volcanic cone, Momotombito (389 metres), which can be seen in the centre of the picture. In the waters of this beautiful lake, a true wonder of nature, naturalists have found three species of fish, originally from the Pacific Ocean, which have been able to adapt to fresh water thanks to the high urea content in their blood. - 1977

Near León in western Nicaragua, Brahman cows are taken to the watering place. - 1977

A guard sits at the entrance to the León rectory. On the wall is written "Defendámonos unidos la violación de nuestros derechos" (Let us defend together the violation of our rights). - 1977

On the beach in San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Men in charge of repainting a boat that seriously needed it, take a few moments of well-deserved rest. Such boats are used not only for fishing, which is always plentiful, but also for transporting passengers and goods. They provide a fairly regular service between the various ports of the coast, often allowing faster connections than those offered by an incomplete and, depending on the season, very poor road network. - 1977

In León, whose full name is 'Santiago de los Caballeros de León' in western Nicaragua, stands the cathedral 'Basilica de la Asunción', which was completed around 1860 after more than 100 years of construction and is considered the largest and oldest in Central America. - 1977

Mestizo woman making hats in her workshop. This craft is quite common among the inhabitants of the village of Monimbo, near Mayasa, Nicaragua. These hats are very popular with both farmers and visiting tourists. (Singer sewing machine) - 1977

Market day in Masaya in Nicaragua. A woman has bought two wicker chests. - 1977

Street scene from Masaya in Nicaragua. After the rain, the sun is shining again. - 1977

At the train station in León, Nicaragua. - 1977

These horse-drawn carriages function as taxis in the town of Masaya in Nicaragua. - 1977

Ceramics of the Chorotega Indians from the island of Ometepe in Lake Nicaragua. This is the world's largest volcanic island in a freshwater lake with about 270 km². - Height of the pottery 38 cm. - 1977

This engraving of a bird is located near Estelí, a town in the north of Nicaragua. It is located 148 km north of Managua on the Panamericana in the central highlands at an altitude of about 840 m and surrounded by mountains up to 1600 m. In pre-Columbian times, the area was settled by the Chorotegas, who called the area Estelí (i.e. blood river). - 1977

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