Nueva Segovia

The Department of Nuevo Segovia is located in the north central region of Nicaragua and was one of the first areas to be explored and colonized by the Spaniards around 1525. The first city founded in this Department was Pueblo Viejo in 1543.

On several occasions, English Pirates looted the city, so in 1780 it was relocated to Ocotal. Now, it the site of important ruins and one of the oldest churches of the Americas. It is a very colorful place.

Other interesting cities in Nuevo Segovia are Dipilto and Macuelizo. The latter started as a gold mining operation of the Spaniards, and here you can still view mines, channels, and furnaces that are more than 400 years old.

Nuevo Segovia has some of the only pine forests in Nicaragua. They are one of the main economic resources of the region, along with coffee and cattle ranching.

Capital	Ocotal
Location	Northern Nicaragua
Bordering Departments	North - Honduras South - Madriz, Jinotega East - Jinotega West - Honduras
Population	148,492
Area km2	3,123
Cities	Ocotal, El Jicaro, Ciudad Antigua, Dipilto, Jalapa, Macuelizo, Mozonte, Murra, Quilali, Santa Maria, San Fernando.