Lake Cote facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Cote |
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 Lake Cote
Location in Costa Rica
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| Coordinates | 10°34′53″N 84°54′42″W / 10.581389°N 84.911667°W |
| Type | crater lake |
| Max. length | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
| Surface area | 1.983 km2 (0.766 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 680 m (2,230 ft) |
Lake Cote (called Lago Cote in Spanish) was once known as Lake Cóter. It is a fresh water lake located in the northern mountains of Costa Rica. This special lake is a crater lake, which means it formed in the old opening of a volcano.
Lake Cote is currently the largest natural lake in Costa Rica. It covers about 1.98 square kilometers (0.76 square miles). The lake's depth can change quite a bit, from 6 meters (20 feet) to 18 meters (59 feet).
Contents
Where is Lake Cote Located?
Lake Cote is found in the Cote area. This district is part of the Guatuso canton, which is in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica.
The lake sits between two famous volcanoes: the Arenal Volcano and the Tenorio Volcano. Close by, you can also find Lake Arenal. Lake Arenal is the biggest lake in Costa Rica, but it was made by people, not by nature.
What Does Lake Cote Look Like?
Lake Cote is a crater lake of the Maar type. This means it was formed by a volcanic explosion that created a wide, shallow crater. The lake has a unique ovoid shape, which looks a bit like a heart.
It is about 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) wide. The average depth of the lake is around 6.30 meters (20.7 feet). However, its deepest point is 18 meters (59 feet) in the center. The Cote River naturally drains water from the lake. The water temperature in Lake Cote usually ranges from about 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) to 27.9 °C (82.2 °F).
How is Lake Cote Used?
Lake Cote is important for several reasons. Many people visit the lake for tourism. It is also used for subsistence fishing, which means local people fish there to feed themselves and their families.
The lake plays a role in generating hydropower electricity. This is a way of making electricity using the power of moving water. Lake Cote is also a special conservation area, helping to protect nature. The local Maleku people consider Lake Cote a sacred place.
The Mystery of the Cote UFO
On September 4, 1971, something unusual happened near Lake Cote. The National Geographic Institute of Costa Rica was doing an aerial survey, which means they were taking pictures from an airplane. In one of their photos, something that looks like a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object) appeared over Lake Cote. A UFO is an object seen in the sky that cannot be easily identified or explained. This photo has made Lake Cote famous among people interested in unexplained mysteries.
See also
- In Spanish: Lago de Cote para niños
