Cuicocha Crater Lake In Imbabura Province, Ecuador. South America Stock Photography

Cuicocha Kichwa: Kuykucha, `lake of guinea pigs` or Kuychikucha, `rainbow lake` is a 3 km 2 mi wide caldera and crater lake at the foot of Cotacachi Volcano in the Cordillera Occidental of the Ecuadorian Andes. Its name comes from the Kichwa indigenous language and means `Lago del Cuy` or Guinea Pig Laguna in English. It was given this name due to the guinea pig shape of the largest Island in the middle of the laguna. These animals play a significant part in the everyday life of Ecuadorians, as they reproduce rapidly and need a minimum of food and care to survive. They make for a high protein meal especially for populations living in high altitude.