OMETE ISLAND

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Several towns are located on the slopes of the volcano, where the main productive activities —farming and ranching— are carried out. Plantain is the predominant crop in this zone, followed by the sesame.

The narrow part of the island is formed by the Istián Isthmus, which at its narrowest point is less than four kilometers wide. During rainy winters, this stretch is covered with water, as if the island were divided into two halves.

The island’s central zone includes the Istián Isthmus from the skirts of Concepción Volcano to the towns of Balgüe and Mérida to the southwest, covering an area of approximately 69 square kilometers. The soils are composed of a fine argillic texture, providing optimal conditions for agricultural development. The main crops in this area include rice, plantain and pasture.

Ranching activities are a significant source of employment, as are the incipient fishing activities in Santo Domingo.

The zone of Maderas Volcano includes the entire volcano, covering some 80 square kilometers. This area has a variable and irregular topography, with rocky soils and mountainous terrain.

Maderas Volcano reaches a height of 1,395 masl. Its vegetation is thick, with a good level of conservation. In this zone, the predominant agricultural activity is coffee cultivation, followed by rice, corn and plantain.

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