Places / North & Central America
Nicaragua
Visited
At a glance
- Region
- Central America
- Capital
- Managua
- Population
- 6.9 million (2024)
- Area
- 130,373 km²
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +505
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Before you go
Overview
The Republic of Nicaragua is located in Central America. It is the largest country in the country on the continent.
The country recorded a population of 6.466 million in 2018 and covers an area of 129,999 km2.
Its capital city, which is also the largest city, is Managua. Its landmarks include the Nicaragua Cathedral, Carlos Fonseca tomb, National Palace and National Museum.
The beach at San Juan Del Sur.
History
It gained full independence in 1838 from the British. Britain, however, remained in control of the country’s Caribbean coast, which it surrendered in 1860.
Food & culture
Culture is greatly influenced by Spanish culture.
The major crops grown in the country are beans, sorghum, rice, cassava, plantains, fruits, vegetables and corn. The common dishes include corn, beans, deep-fried plantains, rice, cabbage and yucca.
Wildlife
Common wildlife animals are puma, deer, margays, peccaries, ocelots, jaguars, reptiles and monkeys.
Festivals & events
The common events held in the country are Nicaragua’s Independence Day, Dia de Los Muertos, International Poetry Festival, Holy Week and La Purisima and La Griteria.
Things to see
Masaya Volcano is in Masaya national park and is the largest national park in the country.
Islets of Grenada in Lake Nicaragua are a tourist attraction site.
Mombacho is a 1,344 m high stratovolcano Nicaragua.
Other must visit sites are Cerro Negro, Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve, Lake Managua and Maderas.
Interesting facts
It is the second poorest country in the Americas after Haiti.
It has the largest lake in Central America.
It is the largest country in Central America.
It had the first female head of state.
