Oued Adjirigoudou, Takabar volcano - Aïr / Niger

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Die schon 1540 von den Spaniern in 2370 Meter Höhe gegründete Stadt Arequipa zählt heute rund zweihunderttausend Einwohner und liegt in einem engen Hochbecken, in dem Feldbau nur dank künstlicher Bewässerung möglich ist. Ihren Beinamen «die Weisse Stadt» verdankt sie dem als Baumaterial verwendeten weißen Tuffstein. Überragt wird Arequipa vom 5842 Meter hohen Misti, einem der wenigen tätigen Vulkane Perus. Nur in der sommerlichen Regenzeit bedeckt eine Schneehaube den ebenmäßigen Kegel. - 1976

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Büsserschnee ist ein an die Hochgebirge der subtropisch-tropischen Trockenzone der Alten und Neuen Welt gebundenes Phänomen. Schneedecken, die sich in der niederschlagsreichen Jahreszeit gebildet haben, unterliegen bei sommerlich–herbstlichem Strahlungswetter selektiven Abschmelzungsvorgängen, die durch Unebenheiten auf der ursprünglichen Schneefläche gesteuert werden und dicht nebeneinanderstehende, aber doch völlig isolierte Firnzacken herausmodellieren, die einer Prozession von Gestalten im weißen Büßerhemd ähneln (penitentes). Das Bild ist in 4900 Meter Höhe am Paß von Huaitiquina aufgenommen, der von Salta (Argentinien) nach San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) führt. - 1975

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Wie die Vulkane Huila (5750 m), Ruiz (5400 m) und Tolima (5215 m) überragt auch der eisgepanzerte Santa Isabel (5100 m) die von Moränen bedeckten weiträumigen Hochflächen der kolumbianischen Zentralkordillere. – 1977

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Als gewaltige Landmarke von 6272 Metern Höhe ragt der Chimborazo am Westrand der ecuadorianischen Beckenflucht empor. Alexander von Humboldt hatte den stark vergletscherten Vulkan, der im 19. Jahrhundert als der höchste Berg der Erde galt, am 23. Juni 1802 fast bis zum Gipfel bestiegen. Die Eukalyptuswälder im Vordergrund hatte er noch nicht gesehen. Dieser australische Baum wurde erst um 1850 eingeführt. – 1976

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Der Vulkan Tungurahua erhebt sich 140 Kilometer südlich von Quito bis in 5016 Meter Höhe. Seine letzten Ausbrüche erfolgten im vorigen Jahrhundert. Das an seinem Fuß gelegene Thermalbad ‘Los Baños’ ist der meistbesuchte Kurort Ecuadors. - 1976

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Der Cotopaxi (5897 m) in der Ostkordillere Ecuadors ist der höchste tätige Vulkan der Erde. Wenn er auch seit 1928 keinen Ausbruch mehr gehabt hat, so beweist doch die an kühlen Tagen über dem ebenmäßigen Gipfel stehende Rauchsäule, dass er noch keineswegs erloschen ist. - 1972

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Die peruanische Puna ist ein Land der Ruhe und Einsamkeit. Hinter diesem Trupp weidender Lamas ragt der Vulkan Ubinas im Grenzbereich der Departemente Moquegua und Arequipa bis in 5672 Meter Höhe empor. - 1976

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Hohe Vulkankegel sind dem Westrand der chilenischen Südanden aufgesetzt oder erheben sich im Innern der Kordillere. Der noch rauchende Villarrica (2840 m), einer der höchsten dieser Kette, ist inmitten der dunklen Nadelwälder von imponierender Gestalt. - 1975

The legends are only available in German or Spanish
Über den klaren Wasserspiegel des Lago Llanquihue in der «Chilenischen Schweiz» erhebt sich der 2661 Meter hohe Vulkankegel des Osorno. In Form und Lage erinnert dieser schönste Andenvulkan an den Fudschiyama. Vorzeitliche Lavaströme haben den Lago Llanquihue vom Lago Todos los Santos getrennt, der wegen seiner smaragdgrünen Farbe auch Lago Esmeralda genannt wird. - 1975

View of the famous Lake Ilopango in EI Salvador. Some geologists believe that the lake is in an ancient crater. Such formations are not uncommon in Central America. Some of these lakes are very deep. The body of water is fed by seeping water and by rainfall, which is very frequent between May and December. Lake Ilopango is dominated by the Chichantepec or San Vicente volcano, which is 2181 meters high. Its water is rich in fish and a lush and diverse flora thrives on its banks. This makes it the ideal destination for the residents of the noisy and overpopulated capital San Salvador. In this area, which is of overwhelming beauty, the townspeople find peace and relaxation. But various leisure activities are also open to them. You can sail, swim, hunt and hike. - 1977

The Fuego volcano is the site of almost permanent activity. It dominates La Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala, which suffered a tragic fate. In Central America, volcanoes are one of the most characteristic elements of the landscape. They range in altitude from 1,000 to 4,000 metres and form an almost unbroken chain that stretches from northern Panama to the border between Guatemala and Mexico. Most of them are extinct. Others have sporadic revivals of extremely variable duration. Still others, like Fuego, are constantly active. Their eruptions, accompanied by lava flows and explosions, are a threat to the inhabitants of the region that cannot be underestimated. - 1977

From Cerro Verde you can see the lzalco volcano in the western region of EI Salvador, not far from the Pacific coast. It is 1935 metres high and dominates an extensive area with the most fertile coffee plantations in the country. For centuries, the glowing volcano could serve as a lighthouse for sailors. He's been quiet for a few years now - how long? - 1977

The lrazú volcano near San José, the capital of Costa Rica, is 3432 metres high. It has several crater openings, one of which forms a lake that shines in amazing colours. Numerous fissures have opened up at the summit, from which clouds of gas constantly escape, attracting many tourists. A road leads visitors near the summit. - 1977

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

View of the famous Lake Ilopango in EI Salvador. Some geologists believe that the lake is in an ancient crater. Such formations are not uncommon in Central America. Some of these lakes are very deep. The body of water is fed by seeping water and by rainfall, which is very frequent between May and December. Lake Ilopango is dominated by the Chichantepec or San Vicente volcano, which is 2181 meters high. Its water is rich in fish and a lush and diverse flora thrives on its banks. This makes it the ideal destination for the residents of the noisy and overpopulated capital San Salvador. In this area, which is of overwhelming beauty, the townspeople find peace and relaxation. But various leisure activities are also open to them. You can sail, swim, hunt and hike. - 1977

The capital of El Salvador at dusk. The city lies on a gentle slope at the foot of a volcano. It is constantly growing and currently has 600,000 inhabitants. This increase in population is due not only to a demographic explosion recorded elsewhere in the continent, but also to the migration of landless peasants to the city. These population movements generally take place in two stages. First, the natives settle in a provincial city. Then they move to the capital of the nation, which exerts an irresistible attraction on them. They are often called by relatives or friends and share their lives with them for a time. Then they become independent, but only if they have found work, which is unfortunately not always the case. Thus, vast shanty towns are created on the outskirts of the towns, forming a veritable belt of misery. - 1977

The Izalco volcano, seen from Cerro Verde, stands in the western region of El Salvador, not far from the Pacific coastline. It has an altitude of 1935 metres and dominates a vast area covered with coffee plantations, which is one of the most fertile in the country. For centuries, this volcano served as a lighthouse for navigators. But for a number of years now, its activity has completely ceased. - 1977

The San Salvador volcano is located in central El Salvador. The prominence currently consists of two masses: one called El Picacho at 1960 m; and the other known as El Boquerón at 1839 m, which includes a 1.5 km wide crater. Other inactive craters are located around these elevations. In the interior of El Boquerón there was a lagoon of unknown origin, which was extinguished by boiling due to eruptive phenomena during the San Salvador earthquake of 1917. Today, a small elevation can be seen at the bottom of the Boquerón crater. - 1977

La Antigua lies at the foot of the Agua volcano. Of Guatemala's first capital, known in history as Ciudad Vieja, only very few remains remain today. The city was destroyed by earthquakes and floods as early as 1541. The Spaniards were forced to build a second capital, called La Antigua, which soon became a brilliant centre of intellectual and religious life in the subcontinent. However, the volcanic nature of the region would once again cause destruction on a massive scale. In 1773, following very strong tremors that had already occurred in the first half of the 18th century, La Antigua suffered desolation and death, forcing the Spaniards to build a new capital. Unfortunately, the latter, like the two previous ones, was not to be spared. The violent earthquake of 4 February 1976 caused the death of twenty-three thousand people. - 1977

Photo taken from the Panamerican Highway which, coming from the Mexican border and crossing the mountainous area, leads to the capital of Guatemala. The well-designed and well-maintained crop fields on the often steep slopes of the volcanoes stretch as far as the eye can see and give the landscape its characteristic appearance. The volcanic ash regularly enriches the land, enabling Indian farmers to successfully grow maize, cereals and a multitude of vegetables, which form the basis of the indigenous population's daily diet. Indeed, the food of the indigenous people is primarily vegetarian. Meat appears on the table on feast days or on the occasion of exceptional circumstances such as a baptism, a wedding or the appointment of a new community leader. The relative altitude of the land, the mild climate and the abundance of rainfall favour the development of agriculture. - 1977

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1972

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1977

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1972

Aerial view of the volcanoes near Lake Atitlán in the direction of Quezaltenango. - 1977

Aerial view of the volcano San Pedro at Lake Atitlán with the villages San Pedro La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna. - 1977

Volcán de Fuego is an active, 3,763 m high stratovolcano in southern Guatemala. It is located about 20 km southwest of the city of Antigua Guatemala. Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala. Major eruptions are rare, but there are often clouds of smoke above the crater. - 1977

La Antigua is located at the foot of the Agua volcano, which can be seen in the background. There are only a few remains of Guatemala's first capital, Ciudad Vieja. Here, the church of the Pedro de Bethancourt Hospital on Las Campanas Street. - 1977

The Atakor volcanic field ("Atakor" means "swollen part, knot at the end of something" in the Tuareg language) is a volcanic field with spectacular landscapes in southern Algeria and is located in the Hoggar Mountains. The Atakor is one of several large volcanic fields in this mountain range. Volcanism in this region took place in several phases, starting 20 million years ago and lasting until the Holocene. Currently, there is fumarolic activity. The highest elevation is Tahat in the west of the volcanic field, the highest mountain in Algeria at 2908 metres. - Algeria - 1966

One of the most magnificent sights in the Sahara: the large «Natron Hole» in Tibesti (Chad). This former crater has a diameter of 6 kilometres and a depth of 600 metres. The Toubou, nomads of the Tibesti, extract the sodium bicarbonate there, which is intended for the camels, and load it onto the donkeys, the only animals that can walk the very narrow and very steep path. – Tibesti - Chad - 1967

The Saharan atmosphere is so strange, so out of keeping with the one that has shaped our minds, that it is not difficult to forget what we know about geography when we come into contact with it. In reality, we are only in front of another aspect of the planet and it is in the presence of a dormant volcano, and not a dead one like the one shown here, that we find our sense of the Universal. The "Natron hole" is, as its name suggests, a salt reserve in a country where salt is scarce. The Tubu who exploit it reserve it for their animals. - Chad - 1967

View from Ternate, an island in the North Moluccas, of the 3 km wide, forested, conical stratovolcano Hiri, which rises steeply from the sea (630 m) – Moluccas – 1990

A boat carrying vegetables and fruit from the large island of Halmahera arrives at the port of Ternate. In the background on the right is the small island of Maitara and on the left is the island of Tidore, dominated by the 1,730-metre-high Keimatubu volcano. - Moluccas – 1990

The island of Ternate is dominated by Gunung Gamalama, or Gamalama Volcano, which rises more than 1,700 metres above sea level. It is considered one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. The lava flow in the foreground is from an eruption in 1936 – Photo from 1990

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