Lake Nicaragua is one of if not the most dominant physical features of Nicaragua. It is also one of the most well known in all of Nicaragua. It is located in southwestern Nicaragua and is the largest lake in Nicaragua and in all of Central America. It is 161 km (100 miles) long, 72 km (45 miles) wide, the area is 8000 sq km (3100 sq miles) and the depth is 18 meters (60 feet). This makes the lake pretty much in an Oval shape. Lake Nicaragua is also a freshwater lake. Lake Nicaragua is 60 meters (200 feet) above sea level. The Indigenous name for Lake Nicaragua is Cocibolca, and the Spanish for Lake Nicaragua is called Mar Dulce. Both of these terms mean sweet tea in english. More than 40 rivers drain into the lake and the largest of them is the Tipitapa river. The San Juan river drains out of the lake.