About Nicaragua
Nicaragua, officially Republic of Nicaragua, largest republic of Central America, bordered on the north by Honduras, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by Costa Rica, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean. The area of Nicaragua is 131,812 sq km (50,893 sq mi), including inland water. The capital city is Managua.
Land and Resources
The Nicaraguan highlands, with a mean elevation of about 610 m (2,000 ft), cross Nicaragua from the north-west to the south-east. Several mountain ranges, the highest of which, the Cordillera Isabelia, exceeds 2,100 m (more than 6,890 ft), cut the highlands from east to west. In the west is a great basin, or depression, containing Lake Nicaragua, the largest in Central America, and Lake Managua. The two are connected by the Tipitapa River. A chain of volcanoes, which are a contributory cause of local earthquakes, rises between the lakes and the Pacific coast. In the east, the Caribbean coastal plain known as the Costa de Mosquitoes (Mosquito Coast) extends some 72 km (45 mi) inland and is partly overgrown with rainforest. The four principal rivers, the San Juan, Coco (Wanks), Grande, and Escondido, empty into the Caribbean.
Climate
The coastal regions of Nicaragua have a tropical climate with a mean average temperature of 25.5° C (78° F). In the higher altitudes in the interior, the temperature varies between 15.5° and 26.5° C (60° and 80° F). The rainy season is from May to October, and along the Caribbean coast annual rainfall averages 3,810 mm (150 in).
Natural Resources
The natural resources of Nicaragua are primarily agricultural. Deposits of volcanic material have enriched the soil, which is extremely fertile. About a third of the land is covered with forests. The country has some deposits of gold, silver, and copper.
Plants and Animals
The vegetation of Nicaragua is of a tropical and subtropical nature. Dense rainforests are found along the Caribbean coast and on the eastern slopes of the highlands. Oak, pine, cedar, balsam, mahogany, rosewood, and wild rubber trees, and some 50 varieties of fruit trees abound. Nicaragua's wild animals include puma, deer, several species of monkeys, and alligators as well as a variety of other reptiles. Parrots, hummingbirds, and wild turkeys are abundant.
Population
About 69 per cent of the Nicaraguan population is mestizo (people of mixed white and Native American descent), about 17 per cent is white, and the remainder is either Native American or black.
Principal Cities
Managua, with a population of 819,731 (1995 estimate), is the capital and commercial centre. León has a population of 124,117, and is an important religious and cultural centre. Granada (74,396) is the terminus of the railway from the main port of entry, Corinto (24,250; 1988 estimate), on the Pacific coast.
Ports and Harbors
Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur.
Religion
About 85 per cent of the Nicaraguan people are Roman Catholic; most of the remainder are Protestant.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua.
Culture
As in other Latin American countries, the culture of Nicaragua reflects Spanish cultural patterns, influential since the colonial period, combined with an ancient Native American heritage. Nicaraguans hold many colourful celebrations to commemorate local saints' days and ecclesiastical events. The marimba is extremely popular, and ancient instruments such as the chirimía (clarinet), maraca (rattle), and zul (flute) are common in rural areas. Dances from colonial times survive, as do fine examples of architecture.
Government Type
Republic
Industries
Food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood.
Highways
Total: 16,382 km
Paved: 1,818 km
Unpaved: 14,564 km (1998 est.)
Waterways
2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Airports
182 (1999 est.)
