Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a country in Central America bordered by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Costa Rica to the south. It covers about 129,000 square kilometers and has a population of around 6 to 7 million. The capital and largest city is Managua. The country’s terrain includes volcanic mountains, large lakes, and tropical coastlines. It lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire and features numerous active or dormant volcanoes; the largest lake is Lake Nicaragua, which contains the island of Ometepe formed by two volcanoes.

Spanish is the official language, with several indigenous and Afro-Caribbean languages spoken on the Caribbean coast. The climate is tropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons. Biodiversity is rich in protected areas and national parks.

Nicaragua has a history of indigenous civilizations followed by Spanish colonization, with independence in the 19th century. It experienced significant political upheaval in the late 20th century, including the Sandinista era and civil conflict. Since the late 1990s it has operated as a republic with a multi-party system. The economy relies on agriculture (such as coffee, cattle, and cotton), mining (gold), and services, with remittances contributing to growth. The currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba.

Tourism is a growing sector, attracted by historic cities such as Granada and León, volcanic landscapes, beaches, and the country’s lakes and nature reserves. Nicaragua faces ongoing development challenges, governance issues, and vulnerability to natural disasters, including earthquakes and storms.