Aerial view of the volcano San Pedro at Lake Atitlán with the villages San Pedro La Laguna and San Juan La Laguna. - 1977

The Fuego volcano is the site of almost permanent activity. It dominates La Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala, which suffered a tragic fate. In Central America, volcanoes are one of the most characteristic elements of the landscape. They range in altitude from 1,000 to 4,000 metres and form an almost unbroken chain that stretches from northern Panama to the border between Guatemala and Mexico. Most of them are extinct. Others have sporadic revivals of extremely variable duration. Still others, like Fuego, are constantly active. Their eruptions, accompanied by lava flows and explosions, are a threat to the inhabitants of the region that cannot be underestimated. - 1977

The volcano Mombacho dominates the Great Lake Nicaragua (or Lake Cocibolca). It is a freshwater lake and with an area of 8264 km² it is the largest in Central America. It has more than 400 islets, three islands and two volcanoes. It is also the only place that hosts freshwater sharks. - 1977

Panama, capital of the republic of the same name, knows a gratifying development, which it owes above all to the Panama Canal. It occupies an exceptional position in the world, as it is a crossroads between the northern and southern hemispheres and between the Orient and the Occident. This explains why, in addition to the indigenous people (Indians, blacks, mulattos, mestizos and whites), one encounters representatives of the most diverse peoples of the world in the streets of the city. Over the last few years, Panama has become a commercial centre and tourist destination that has taken on considerable importance. The modern neighbourhoods are dominated by skyscrapers, which serve as homes for the privileged classes and as hotels for wealthy tourists. The climate that prevails in this part of Central America throughout the year is rather unhealthy because of the high temperatures and enormous humidity. Thunderstorms of incredible ferocity follow each other closely, especially in the rainy season. - 1977

On the beach of a small island that belongs to the Panamanian archipelago of San Blas. The archipelago stretches over a length of 350 kilometres not far from the Atlantic coast. It consists of 365 islands and islets of various sizes that rise only a few metres above sea level. 48 islands are inhabited. They have curious names like Nalunega, Kortbiski or Cauwualla. The tides are insignificant here. Each island, even the smallest, has rich vegetation. - 1977

On the journey between the small islands of the Panamanian archipelago of San Blas. This extends over a length of 350 kilometres not far from the Atlantic coast. It consists of 365 islands and islets of various sizes that rise only a few metres above sea level. 48 islands are inhabited. They have curious names like Nalunega, Kortbiski or Cauwualla. The tides are insignificant here. Each island, even the smallest, has rich vegetation. - 1977

The great lake of Nicaragua (Cocibolca) has a total length of 170 kilometres. It is dominated by two volcanoes: Momotombo, which has an altitude of 1400 metres, and another much smaller volcanic cone, Momotombito (389 metres), which can be seen in the centre of the picture. In the waters of this beautiful lake, a true wonder of nature, naturalists have found three species of fish, originally from the Pacific Ocean, which have been able to adapt to fresh water thanks to the high urea content in their blood. - 1977

On the beach in San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. Men in charge of repainting a boat that seriously needed it, take a few moments of well-deserved rest. Such boats are used not only for fishing, which is always plentiful, but also for transporting passengers and goods. They provide a fairly regular service between the various ports of the coast, often allowing faster connections than those offered by an incomplete and, depending on the season, very poor road network. - 1977

Street scene from Masaya in Nicaragua. After the rain, the sun is shining again. - 1977

The capital of El Salvador at dusk. The city lies on a gentle slope at the foot of a volcano. It is constantly growing and currently has 600,000 inhabitants. This increase in population is due not only to a demographic explosion recorded elsewhere in the continent, but also to the migration of landless peasants to the city. These population movements generally take place in two stages. First, the natives settle in a provincial city. Then they move to the capital of the nation, which exerts an irresistible attraction on them. They are often called by relatives or friends and share their lives with them for a time. Then they become independent, but only if they have found work, which is unfortunately not always the case. Thus, vast shanty towns are created on the outskirts of the towns, forming a veritable belt of misery. - 1977

The church of Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe stands in the heart of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador. A man, followed by his dog, enters the sanctuary. We know the great importance of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patron saint of Mexico and indeed of the whole of Latin America, for the inhabitants of that continent. This prestige has lasted since the first years of the conquest of the region by the Spaniards. The image of the venerated Virgin is carried in procession at certain times of the year. - 1977

Not far from the Guatemalan capital is the large lake of Amatitlan, around which the city dwellers have built hotels and villas that they live in on weekends and holidays. They chose this place because of its proximity to the city and the beauty of the landscape. The landscape is dominated by some of the peaks of the sierra. The Agua volcano stands out among them. The moderate altitude of the relief allows a rich vegetation to develop. - 1977

La Antigua lies at the foot of the Agua volcano. Of Guatemala's first capital, known in history as Ciudad Vieja, only very few remains remain today. The city was destroyed by earthquakes and floods as early as 1541. The Spaniards were forced to build a second capital, called La Antigua, which soon became a brilliant centre of intellectual and religious life in the subcontinent. However, the volcanic nature of the region would once again cause destruction on a massive scale. In 1773, following very strong tremors that had already occurred in the first half of the 18th century, La Antigua suffered desolation and death, forcing the Spaniards to build a new capital. Unfortunately, the latter, like the two previous ones, was not to be spared. The violent earthquake of 4 February 1976 caused the death of twenty-three thousand people. - 1977

Aerial view of the volcanoes near Lake Atitlán in the direction of Quezaltenango. - 1977

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1972

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1977

Lake Atitlán, a natural wonder, is located in the heart of the Guatemalan highlands, at an altitude of 1,500 metres. It is dominated by the volcanoes Atitlán and San Pedro, on whose slopes are scattered fields of crops. It is one of the most populated areas of the altiplano. Indeed, countless villages have been built on its banks. They bear the names of saints or apostles: San Jorge, San Lucas, San Pedro, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, Santiago, etc. The inhabitants of each of these localities have their own way of life, customs, crafts, clothing and beliefs. They are engaged in agriculture, which is particularly flourishing due to the moderate altitude of the relief and the mild temperature. They also fish and harvest shellfish, which abound in the very pure waters of Lake Atitlán. - 1972

Volcán de Fuego is an active, 3,763 m high stratovolcano in southern Guatemala. It is located about 20 km southwest of the city of Antigua Guatemala. Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Guatemala. Major eruptions are rare, but there are often clouds of smoke above the crater. - 1977

Dusk over Lago Izabal in eastern Guatemala. - 1977

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