El Salvador - Lake Guija

Lake Guija is shared with neighboring Guatemala, and is one of the largest natural lakes in the region. The lake and its shores preserves an outstanding natural environment, including a large forest on the San Diego Volcano and an area of marshland and ponds extending north of the lake (the "Lagunas de Metapan"). A traditional fishery is still supported by the lake. Over 20 archaeological sites have been recorded in the lakes environs, including a Late Preclassic settlement (400 BC- 200 AD), several Postclassic mound groups (900-1550 AD), and an early Colonial church ruin. One of its Postclassic sites was mentioned early in the sixteenth century as a regional religious center. Some of these sites have very well preserved architecture; none have been professionally excavated.