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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Copyright Keystone View Company 



WATER VENDER AND OX CART : LAKE MANAGUA, NICARAGUA 



Managua was chosen for the capital of Nicaragua in 1855, after a long-continued rivalry 

 between Leon and Granada for the distinction. It is situated on Lake Managua and has a 

 population of about 25,000. 



gable for some 240 miles, the last no 

 miles of which, however, are only navi- 

 gable for vessels of light draft. 



Lake Nicaragua has an extension of 96 

 by 40 miles, is navigable throughout for 

 large vessels, and contains a number of 

 islands, of which the island of Ometepe, 

 12 miles in length, is the largest. It is 

 one of the prettiest and most picturesque 

 lakes of America and the largest in Cen- 

 tral America. 



Lake Managua, situated but a short 

 distance from Lake Nicaragua, with 



which it is connected by the Tipitapa'. 

 River, is 38 miles long and from 10 to- 

 16 miles wide, and is likewise navigable. 

 The capital of the Republic, Managua, 

 as well as a number of smaller towns, are- 

 situated on its shores. 



Post-offices number 135, and telegraph 

 wires have an extent of 3,150 miles. The 

 United States Government has installed' 

 a wireless telegraph station, with a range 

 of over 500 miles, at Swan Island, off the 

 coast of Nicaragua, and the United Fruit 

 Company has a station at Bluefields. 



