Chiltepe Peninsula Natural Reserve (
Spanish: ''Reserva Natural Península de Chiltepe'') is a
nature reserve
A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or ...
in
Nicaragua
Nicaragua (; ), officially the Republic of Nicaragua (), is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Managua is the cou ...
. It is one of the 78 reserves which are officially under protection in the country.
Located on the south shore of
Lake Managua
Lake Managua ( es, Lago de Managua, ), also known as Lake Xolotlán (), is a lake in Nicaragua. At 1,042 km², it is approximately long and wide. Similarly to the name of Lake Nicaragua, its other name comes from the Nahuatl language, possi ...
, it is 15 kilometers Northwest of
Managua
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, the capital, and consequently a popular destination for visitors from the city.
The peninsula was formed by
Apoyeque
Apoyeque is a pyroclastic shield, located in the Chiltepe Peninsula Natural Reserve in Nicaragua. It has a 2.8-km wide, 400-m-deep, lake-filled caldera.
Geography
Apoyeque is a volcanic complex that formed and occupies the Chiltepe Peninsula. ...
stratovolcano, one of whose domes is Chiltepe volcano (Volcán Chiltepe).
Local fauna includes coyotes, deer, raccoons, rabbits and other small mammals, as well as iguanas and lizards, which have been disappearing under pressure from hunting. At its coasts live ducks, herons, cormorants, and such birds as sargentillos (Agelaius), cowbirds (Molothrus Tangavius), Clariona (Cassidix mexicanus), and zanatillo (Cassidis nicaraguensis). The latter species is endemic to the coasts of lakes in Nicaragua.
Among the threats affecting the conservation of the protected area are frequent forest fires and the expansion of agricultural areas at the expense of the nature reserve.
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References
{{Natures Reserves in Nicaragua
Protected areas of Nicaragua
Managua Department