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

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

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

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