Ometepe Island Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2010, in Nicaragua. Ometepe Island Biosphere Reserve is located in the south-west of Nicaragua in the country’s neotropical zone. Two imposing volcanoes, Maderas and Concepcion, define the topography of the reserve. Maderas is located in the east of the reserve and rises to 1,394 metres. Concepcion, which is still active, is found in the north-east and rises to 1,610 metres. The volcanoes are separated by the Istian isthmus, formed by the eruption of lava millions of years ago. Ometepe Island is surrounded by Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America, while the River San Juan traverses the length of the reserve.