Welcome to Masaya Volcano National Park, the country's most visited volcano and certainly the one with the richest history where visitors can contemplate some of Mother Nature's most spectacular sceneries.


THE VOLCANO AND ITS HISTORY
     Masaya, the country's shortest volcano at only 635 meters high, sure has made a lot of noise. Located in the county of Nindirí, Masaya, it's actually a volcanic complex consisting of two volcanoes: Masaya and Nindirí; and five craters. Masaya possesses two crater: one of its same name, which last erupted in 1772, and San Fernado while Nindirí has two: one of its same name and San Pedro; the remaining crater, Santiago, lies between these two volcanoes and it's the only active one.

For such a short volcano, it sure has made a lot of noise. It recorded a huge eruption about 6,500 years ago. In fact, that eruption was so catastrofic that it's one of the region's top 10 largest eruptions in the past 10,000 years. It was a category 5 eruption out of 8; 5 is described as "paroxysmal" while 8 is "megacolossal". Another Nicaraguan volcano made that list, Cosiguina, with the same category.

During the Colonial and pre-Columbian times, it gave so much headache to the Spaniards and the native people that they did some wild things in order to stop the eruptions. The Spaniards reffered to Volcán Masaya as "boca del infierno" (mouth of hell) and really believed it'd erupt because it was possessed. So, that's why they placed a wooden cross, "Cruz de Bobadilla" (Bobadilla Cross;more ahead) at the summit of the volcano in order to exorcise it and liberate it from the demons that were possessing it.

The natives (chorotegas), in the other hand, called Volcán Masaya "Popogatepe" (burning mountain) and when it'd erupt, they thought it was a sign of anger from the gods so in order to calm it down, they had to sacrifice young children by thowing them into the crater.


THE NATIONAL PARK
     Volcán Masaya is the country's second national park covering an area of approximately 5,100 ha. (54 km2). It was officialy established on May 23, 1979 and it currently counts with a museum, park rangers and even a picnic area, not to forget the lookouts, the flora and fauna.

At the museum, very interesting information can be obtained. They have displays of the entire protected area, also of the volcanic range the country possesses. They also have displays on geology, including a display of the planet's tectonic plates. Also, displays of flora and fauna found in the park. They also have an information booth where postcards related to the volcano can be bought. At the back of the museum, there's a lookout that provides amazing views of Lake Masaya and Mombacho Volcano.

Next to the museum, the picnic area can be found. During the day, people can come here and picnic as they enjoy the setting and in the night, they can camp for just a small price.

FLORA
     Many different types of plants have adapted to the dry tropical forest of this national park. Between the most noticeable plants found on the way up to "Plaza de Oviedo" (Oviedo Plaza; more ahead), is SACUANJOCHE, Nicaragua's National Flower.

CONTINUE TO PAGE TWO WITH: FAUNA, THE ATTRACTIONS