18 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA 
drains a large area of swamp and jungle in which are 
buried some of the most wonderful ruined cities of the 
New World. 
In the northern part of Yucatan there are no rivers 
on the surface on account of the porous limestone. 
Instead there are great natural wells called cenotes 
where the roofs of subterranean rivers have fallen in. 
Many of the ancient cities were built near such natural 
wells. 
Passing to the south the most important river of 
Guatemala is the Motagua, which has cut a fine valley 
through a region of lofty mountains. In Honduras there 
are several large rivers, including the Uloa, Patuea, 
and Segovia. The lake region of Nicaragua is drained 
by the San Juan River that flows into the Caribbean 
Sea. Nearly all the streams of Central America that 
flow into the Pacific are short and steep torrents. An 
important exception is the Lempa River that forms 
part of the interior boundary of Salvador. 
Concerning lakes, mention has already been made of 
Chapala and Tezcoco, the most important in Mexico. 
The former is about fifty miles in length. In the state 
of Michoacan there are a number of beautiful lakes 
intimately connected with the history and mythology of 
the Tarascan Indians. The most famous is called 
Patzcuaro. In southern Yucatan the shallow body of 
water known as Lake Peten also has a distinct historical 
interest. Several lakes in Guatemala are well known 
on account of the rare beauty of their situation. Lake 
Atitlan is surrounded by lofty mountains, and Lake 
Izabal, or Golfo Dulce, is famous for the luxuriance of 
the vegetation that screens its banks. Lakes Nica- 
ragua and Managua are well known on account of their 
connection with the much-discussed canal projects. 
