Nicaragua Map

Description: This map shows governmental boundaries of countries; lakes, departments, department capital cities, and major cities and towns in Nicaragua.

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Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, occupies a strategic location in Central America between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The Caribbean Sea borders the country to the east, while the Pacific Ocean lies to the west. With an area of 50,338 square miles (130,375 square kilometers), Nicaragua ranks as the largest country in Central America.

The country's population reaches approximately 6.35 million people (2023 estimate), with about one-quarter living in the capital city of Managua. Other major urban centers include León, Granada, and Masaya. Spanish serves as the official language, though some indigenous communities speak native languages.

Nicaragua's economy relies primarily on agriculture, with coffee, bananas, sugarcane, and tobacco as major exports. The manufacturing sector produces textiles and footwear, while mining operations extract gold and silver. Despite abundant natural resources, Nicaragua remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with significant income inequality and unemployment challenges.

The country's geography features diverse landscapes, including volcanoes, lakes, and tropical rainforests. Lake Nicaragua, the largest freshwater lake in Central America, contains unique freshwater sharks and hosts Ometepe Island, formed by two volcanoes. The Pacific region includes a chain of 40 volcanoes, with seven remaining active.

Tourism contributes significantly to Nicaragua's economy, attracting visitors to its colonial cities, beaches, and natural attractions. Granada, founded in 1524, draws tourists with its Spanish colonial architecture and colorful buildings. The surf beaches of San Juan del Sur attract water sports enthusiasts, while the Corn Islands in the Caribbean offer pristine beaches and excellent diving opportunities. Visitors explore the Masaya Volcano National Park to witness active lava flows and volcanic activity.

The country experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The Pacific lowlands receive less rainfall than the Caribbean region, which features extensive rainforests. Nicaragua faces environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, though conservation efforts protect several biosphere reserves and national parks.

The Facts:

Flag:
Capital:	Managua
Area:	50,338 sq mi (130,375 sq km)
Population:	~ 6,359,689 (2023 estimate)[1]
Official language:	Spanish
Religion:	55.0% - Catholicism 27.2% - Protestantism 2.2% - other Christian 14.7% - no religion 0.9% - other
Ethnic groups:	69% - Mestizo 17% - White 9% - Black 5% - Indigenous
Currency:	Spanish
Driving side:	Right
Calling code:	+505
Internet TLD:	.ni
Time zone:	UTC−6 (CST)
Gross domestic product (PPP) (2024 estimate):	$56.697 billion (Total) $8,492 (Per capita)
Gross domestic product (nominal) (2024 estimate):	$17.843 billion (Total) $2,673 (Per capita)
Official tourism website:	www.visitanicaragua.com

Google Map of Nicaragua

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List of Largest Cities in Nicaragua

1. Managua (1,042,641)
2. León (206,264)
3. Masaya (176,344)
4. Matagalpa (158,095)
5. Tipitapa (140,569)

6. Chinandega (135,154)
7. Jinotega (133,705)
8. Granada (127,892)
9. Estelí (126,290)
10. Puerto Cabezas (113,534)

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Departments of Nicaragua

List of departments of Nicaragua

Department	Capital	Area	Population
Boaco	Boaco	1,613 sq mi (4,177 sq km)	188,809
Carazo	Jinotepe	417 sq mi (1,081 sq km)	200,894
Chinandega	Chinandega	1,862 sq mi (4,822 sq km)	445,784
Chontales	Juigalpa	2,502 sq mi (6,481 sq km)	193,827
Estelí	Estelí	861 sq mi (2,230 sq km)	233,077
Granada	Granada	402 sq mi (1,040 sq km)	219,244
Jinotega	Jinotega	3,561 sq mi (9,222 sq km)	499,289
León	León	1,984 sq mi (5,138 sq km)	426,85
Madriz	Somoto	659 sq mi (1,708 sq km)	181,328
Managua	Managua	1,338 sq mi (3,465 sq km)	1,585,801
Masaya	Masaya	236 sq mi (611 sq km)	409,265
Matagalpa	Matagalpa	2,627 sq mi (6,804 sq km)	613,262
Nueva Segovia	Ocotal	1,348 sq mi (3,491 sq km)	282,800
Rivas	Rivas	835 sq mi (2,162 sq km)	185,514
Río San Juan	San Carlos	2,912 sq mi (7,541 sq km)	140,786

Autonomous regions of Nicaragua

List of autonomous regions of Nicaragua

Autonomous region	Capital	Area	Population
North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region	Bilwi	12,782 sq mi (33,106 sq km)	563,088
South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region	Bluefields	10,525 sq mi (27,260 sq km)	434,270

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Geography of Nicaragua

Nicaragua, the largest country in Central America, occupies 50,338 square miles (130,375 square kilometers) between Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, providing 910 kilometers of coastline.

The country's topography divides into three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific lowlands, the Central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. The Pacific region features a chain of active volcanoes, including Concepción and San Cristóbal, and contains two major freshwater lakes: Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and Lake Managua (Xolotlán). These lakes form part of a significant geological rift that runs through the country's center.

Nicaragua experiences a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the dry season (December to April) and the rainy season (May to November). Average temperatures range from 21°C to 29°C, with the Pacific lowlands experiencing higher temperatures than the Central highlands. The Caribbean coast receives significantly more rainfall, averaging 2,500-6,500mm annually, while the Pacific region typically receives 1,000-2,000mm.

The Central highlands contain the country's most productive agricultural regions, with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,100 meters above sea level. The eastern Caribbean lowlands encompass approximately 50% of the national territory and consist primarily of tropical rainforest and pine savannas. This region includes the Mosquito Coast, characterized by extensive wetlands and lagoons.

Natural resources include gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, and fish. The country's location makes it vulnerable to natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and hurricanes, particularly along the Caribbean coast.

Islands of Nicaragua

Major Rivers of Nicaragua

Lakes of Nicaragua

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Brief History of Nicaragua

Nicaragua's history began with indigenous settlements, primarily the Nicarao people, who inhabited the region before Spanish colonization. In 1522, Spanish conquistador Gil González Dávila initiated European contact with Nicaragua, leading to subsequent colonization under the Spanish Empire.

The colonial period lasted until 1821 when Nicaragua gained independence from Spain. The country then briefly joined the First Mexican Empire before becoming part of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823. Nicaragua emerged as an independent nation in 1838, marking the beginning of a complex political period characterized by rivalry between the Liberal and Conservative factions.

The 20th century brought significant changes to Nicaragua. The United States occupied the country from 1912 to 1933, during which time the Somoza family established its authoritarian dynasty. The Somoza regime ruled Nicaragua from 1936 to 1979, when the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) overthrew the government in a popular revolution. This led to the Contra War (1981-1990), a period of civil conflict involving US-backed opposition forces.

Following the 1990 election of Violeta Chamorro, Nicaragua transitioned to a democratic system. The country has since experienced periods of economic reform, political tension, and social development. Modern Nicaragua continues to address challenges related to poverty, political polarization, and economic inequality while maintaining its position as Central America's largest nation by land area.

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References

1. ^ Nicaragua. The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. www.cia.gov

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