Lake Guija
El SalvadorDireccion del Patrimonio Cultural, CONCULTURA, Ministry of Education, El Salvador.
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Description
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.