Lake Atitlan is recognized to be the deepest lake in Central America, its bottom has not been completely sounded. The lake is volcanic in origin, filling an enormous caldera formed in an eruption 84,000 years ago. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

The lake itself is rich in animal life which provides a significant food source for the largely indigenous population.

The lake is surrounded by many villages, in which Maya culture is still prevalent and traditional dress is worn. The Maya people of Atitlán are predominantly Tz’utujil and Kaqchikel. During the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the Kaqchikel initially allied themselves with the invaders to defeat their historic enemies the Tz’utujil and Quiché Maya, but were themselves conquered and subdued when they refused to pay tribute to the Spanish.

Santiago Atitlán is the largest of the lakeside communities , and is noted for its worship of Maximón, an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints and conquistador legends. The institutionalized effigy of Maximón is under the control of a local religious brotherhood and resides in various houses of its membership during the course of a year, being most ceremonially moved in a grand procession during Semana Santa.

This young girl really touched our hearts while visiting in Panajachel. She was telling us that her greatest hopes was to someday be able to read. This has stuck with me for all these years. I can remember vividly the conversation with her. My friend Andrew stayed in contact with her and her family for many years. Unfortunately she lives to many miles away for her to attend one of the Escuela Integrada schools. She is also the person in the home that makes money to put food on the table. At the time of this picture she was 18 years old and had never attended school.

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Some information for this post came from Wikipedia.