Tom McNeely (Canadian, B. 1935) "Nicaragua Landscape" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood Mint Stamps of the World Collectors Panel for the Nicaragua stamp issue of Ancient Ceramics. A congenial sun reflects off the crystal blue waters of Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America. Geologists believe that once this lake was part of the ocean, but volcanic activity raised the land and cut off these sea waters from the ocean. Over time, rivers pouring into the lake made the waters fresh. The marine life trapped inside the lake adapted from salt water to freshwater so that today, Lake Nicaragua holds the only species of freshwater sharks and tarpin in the world. This lake is only one of the many treasures awaiting visitors to Nicaragua. The country is also a land of many active volcanoes that sometimes reawaken into a dramatic fury of fire and ash. Nicaraguans have become accustomed to these fiery inhabitants of their land. In fact, the ash from these volcanoes has made the land some of the most fertile in Central America. On the eastern side of Nicaragua, a lush tropical jungle grows, supporting innumerable species of exotic orchids, trees, and birds. The haunting cries of the ocelot and the jaguar can also be heard emanating from the dark jungle. On the western coast, the rich soil supports thriving crops of coffee, cotton, sugar and bananas. This is the most developed part of Nicaragua where the majority of the population lives. The elegant capital city of Managua looks out upon Lake Managua, another large freshwater lake. Throughout the country, Spanish colonial architecture combines with the conveniences of technology to create a fascinating nation. Image Size: 23.75 x 17.25 in. Overall Size: 30 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B13313) See More