Lake Atitlan
Sometimes, when I look at the lake, I tend to believe that perfection does exist.
Loneliness adds beauty to life. It puts a special burn on sunsets and makes night air smell better.
Lake Atitlan is the most important freshwater lake in Central America. It is located in the western mountain range of Guatemala, in the department of Sololá. It is without a doubt the most important natural attraction of the country, and one of its principal economic sources since it attracts not only international tourists from all over the world but local tourists as well.
It is not just about the lake
The lake complements its beauty with panoramic roadways, riverside towns, mountains, and volcanoes.
towns
The main towns that surround its basin are: Santa Catarina Palopo, San Antonio Palopo, San Lucas Toliman, Santiago Atitlan, San Pedro La Laguna, San Juan La Laguna, San Pablo La Laguna, San Marcos La Laguna, Santa Cruz La Laguan, y Panajachel.
xocomil
One of the characteristics of Lake Atitlan is a strong wind known as Xocomil. The etymology of the word Xocomil comes from the cakchiquel language: Xocom is jocom = gather and il = fish, in other words: “the wind that gathers the fish,” for the inhabitants of the towns situated at the edge of the lake.
Culture
Atitlan is the land of the Tz’utuhiles, Kaqchikeles, and Kiche’s. Ethnic people descendent from the mayas, each one with their own language, culture, and traditions. The language borders do not match up to the municipal borders, the Kaqchikel is prevalent in 11 municipalities; Kiche’, in 5 municipalities and Tz’utuhil in 3.
