Carazo

Carazo is located on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua and is one of the smallest departments of the country.

In pre-Columbian times, this region was inhabited by Dirianes tribes, who resisted Spanish colonization. Carazo was named a department in 1891 and recieved its name from President Evaristo Carazo.

It excels in coffee production, which in other times gave it a strong economic base.

In spite of being near the volcano chain of Nicaragua, it is the only department of the Pacific region  that does not have volcanic cones.

Carazo stands out because of its beautiful beaches, religious festivals and colorful national folklore. Additionally, in this department, marine turtles lay eggs in Escalante-Chacocente, a wildlife refuge.

Capital	Jinotepe
Location	Southern Nicaragua
Bordering Departments	North - Masaya South - The Pacific Ocean East - Granada West - Managua
Population	149,407
Area km2	1,050
Cities	Jinotepe, La Conquista, Diriamba, Dolores, La Paz de Oriente, San Marcos, El Rosario, Santa Teresa.