Nicaragua flag

Nicaragua Overview

Nicaragua is Central America’s largest state on the surface. The country faces the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and borders Costa Rica and Honduras. Nicaragua also has Central America’s largest freshwater source, Lake Nicaragua (Lake Nicaragua).

Capital: Managua
Biggest city: Managua
State: republic
Language: Spanish
Religion: catholicism
Surface: 129 494 km²
Population: 5.9 million (2012)
Population density: 45 residents per km²
Life expectancy: 72 years
Illiteracy: 32%
Currency: cordoba (NIO)
1 cordoba = 0.28 kr
GDP per capita: $ 2 600 (2010)
Time difference: -6 hours
Electricity: 110 V AC, 60Hz
National Day: September 15
Country area code: 505
2-Letter country abbreviation: NI (See more abbreviations on Abbreviationfinder)
Business: agriculture 47%, service sector 37%, industry 16%
Climate: tropical in the lowlands, cooler in the highlands; rainy season from May to January

Nicaragua flag

In 1522, the Pacific coast of Nicaragua was colonized by the Spaniards. At that time, two of Nicaragua’s most important cities were founded, Granada on Lake Managua and León (also on this lake). Nicaragua remained a colony until they declared independence from Spain in 1821. Nicaragua did not become an independent republic until 1838. During the first half of the 19th century, the country’s Caribbean coast, the Mosquito Coast, was occupied by Great Britain, but the region was gradually handed over to Nicaragua.

In the 1930s, the Somoza family, with American support, gained dictatorial power in the country. Violent opposition to government manipulation and corruption spread through all walks of life in 1978 and a short-lived civil war broke out. It ended when the Sandinistas, a left-wing movement, overthrew President Anastasio Somoza in 1979. Disputes broke out within the new rulers and some groups broke out to oppose the new rulers. The United States, which had initially offered financial assistance to the Sandinistas, was rejected by them, and when Reagan came to power, the United States switched to a more confrontational policy. Subsequently, the United States supported contras based in Honduras and Costa Rica, and with CIA intelligence, it attacked military and civilian targets in Nicaragua. In 1984, Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega Saavedra was elected president in an election that was judged free and fair by international observers on the ground, but not by the opposition, which complained that it had not been given time to prepare. The United States supported contras, citing, among other things, the Nicaraguan government’s support for left – wing rebels in El Salvador. Contras was heavily dependent on US support and would not have been able to stay in the country without it. In 1986, the United States was convicted in the International Court of Justice in The Hague for its actions and sentenced to damages, which the United States has refused to pay. In the general elections in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Sandinistas were defeated. In 2006, Daniel Ortega was re-elected president. In 1986, the United States was convicted in the International Court of Justice in The Hague for its actions and sentenced to damages, which the United States has refused to pay. In the general elections in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Sandinistas were defeated.

Nicaragua contains 7 percent of the world’s biodiversity, as well as the second largest rainforest in America. Nearly 20 percent of the country’s territory is protected in the form of national parks and biological reserves. Nicaragua is a poor country with low per capita income and a huge foreign debt. The income differences are among the largest in the world.

Tourism in Nicaragua is on the rise. It is currently the second largest industry in the country, and it is expected to become Nicaragua’s largest industry. The growth has led to an increase in income from tourism of more than 300 percent over a period of 10 years. Growth in the tourism industry has also had a positive effect on agriculture, trade and the financial sector, as well as the construction industry. Despite the positive growth over the past decade, Nicaragua still has fewer tourists than its neighbors.

According to the Nicaraguan Ministry of Tourism (INTUR), Granada, the old city from colonial times, is the place that tourists most often go to. In addition, ecotourism and surfing attract many tourists to Nicaragua.

WORLD HERITAGE

The following objects in Nicaragua are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The year in which the item was added to the list is indicated in parentheses.

  • The ruins of the city of León Viejo (2000)
  • Leon Cathedral (2011)

ELECTRICAL OUTLET

Electricity and electrical outlets in Nicaragua

Voltage: 120 V

Frequency: 60 Hz

Type of plug: A

Need an adapter: Yes, Swedes need an adapter.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

Weather in Managua

Climate Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Christmas Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average temperature °C 26 27 27 29 28 27 27 27 26 26 26 26
Day °C 31 32 33 34 33 31 31 32 31 30 30 31
Night °C 20 21 21 23 23 22 22 22 21 22 21 21

Nicaragua 2

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua’s fourth largest city and has 110,326 residents (2003). The city is historically one of the country’s most important cities both economically and politically. The city is a popular place to visit among tourists, and was formerly the capital of Nicaragua.

Managua

According to Countryaah, Managua is the capital of Nicaragua, with just over 1.6 million residents. It is located on the west coast of the country on the southeastern shore of Lake Managuas.

Managua was founded in 1819 and was named Leal Villa de Santiago de Managua. The idea was that it would be a rural fishing village. Attempts to make the city the capital of Nicaragua began as early as 1824, after the Central American nations became independent from Spain. In 1852, the city became the capital of the country.

The city has experienced the rise and fall of many political forces throughout the country’s history, it has survived two earthquakes during the 20th century and is the country’s economic, political, cultural, commercial and industrial center.