Mexican Lakes: North to South Trivia Quiz

The Laguna de Guzman is one of Mexico's northernmost lakes. Located very close to the border with Texas, the lake indirectly gets water from the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, since the Casas Grandes river flows from there into Guzman. The lake is fully located inside Chihuahua and is at an elevation of over 1,000 meters above sea level.

In the latter part of the 21st century, the state of Chihuahua (which happens to be the largest state in Mexico by physical size), has faced water scarcity and pollution.

This has put its several bodies of water, such as Guzman Lake, at risk of drying up.

Located in the central-southern part of Chihuahua state, Laguna El Cuervo (which translates to "the crow") sits between the Sierra San Pablo and Cerro El Tecolote mountains. The lake is also bordered by a smaller reservoir called La Ceja, which translates to "the eyebrow". Like many bodies of water, El Cuervo has dried up over the years, which is why it is occasionally referred as a lagoon rather than as a lake.

Lago de Santiaguillo is a popular spot in Durango for camping and various other outdoor activities. It is located almost exactly in the center of Durango state, and also houses many different species of aquatic birds, amphibians, and mammals. Santiaguillo was designated a Ramsar site (based on a UNESCO treaty concerning water conservation) in 2012. Due to the threats that global warming presents to the lake's survival, both federal and state governments have implemented efforts to manage and preserve Santiaguillo.

The Laguna de Tamiahua is one of the largest coastal lagoons in Mexico. Fully located inside the state of Veracruz, the lake is directly next to the much larger Gulf of Mexico. Tamiahua is a word of Nahuatl and Huasteco origin that can either mean "in the soil's corn flowers" or "place of abundant water".

The lake shares its name with a nearby municipality. The lake receives much attention from local fisheries, as well as tourists who visit the area.

Lake Chapala is perhaps one of Mexico's best known bodies of water. Mostly located in the state of Jalisco, but also having a part of it in Michoacan, Chapala is by far the largest freshwater lake in the country. It is very close to Guadalajara, one of the most important cities in Mexico, and is an important water source for the city and the state.

It also houses a variety of different animals. Chapala Lake is popular with locals and tourists alike, as they can either walk by and see the body of water or practice kayaking on the lake.

Lago de Cuitzeo is one of Mexico's largest lakes. With a basin of over 300 square meters, Cuitzeo has dramatically dried up over time. The desertification of the freshwater lake has had a direct impact on nearby villagers, farmers, and fishermen who depend on the lake for their survival and livelihood. Lago Cuitzeo is inside the state of Michoacan and is located near the Tres Cerritos archaeological zone.

Patzcuaro Lake sits nearby the important city of Morelia, Michoacan. The lake is a popular tourist attraction, and activities like motorboat tours are offered. Tourists may enjoy the panoramic views of Patzcuaro, which sometimes feature Michoacan's famous monarch butterflies and their annual migration. Lake Patzcuaro is one of Mexico's largest lakes.

Inhabitants of Mexico City have sadly suffered several major earthquakes in the latter half of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century. The damage done by the 1985 and 2017 earthquakes was partly attributed to the fact that Mexico City was unusually built over a lake: Lake Texcoco.

The lake has significantly dried up over the years, and is located near by the Mexico City International Airport. Multiple conservation efforts have been implemented over the years by federal and state governments to try to save the lake's wildlife.

The state of Veracruz has a large coastline, which may explain why the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernan Cortes first arrived in 1519 at the islet of Chalchiucueyetl-cuecan. In the southern part of the state, Lake Catemaco is located near an eponymous city known for its tradition of "brujos" or "witches". Tourists who visit Catemaco are often interested in rituals such as "limpias", where the "brujos" perform various rituals to cleanse visitors of evil spirits.

The freshwater lake is also an important source for fisheries in the area.

Laguna del Ostion, which means "Oyster's Lake", is fully located inside the state of Veracruz. This body of water is inside Pajapan, a municipality that is near the state capital, Xalapa. Indigenous groups in Veracruz, have become known for their efforts to save nearby bodies of water like Laguna del Ostion, since in many cases these are their only sources of drinking water. Laguna del Ostion is also home to multiple species of fish, clams, and of course, oysters.