Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere on Earth. On its territory there are 18 volcanoes and a freshwater lake with sharks, and iguanas are a favorite dish of local residents. Where is Nicaragua located? How does it stand out among other countries?
What continent is Nicaragua on?
The country has access to two oceans and has a very diverse landscape. There are mountains, lowlands, beaches, evergreen forests and numerous rivers. But more about that later. Let's first understand where is Nicaragua?
Geographically, the country belongs to the continent of North America, but in the historical and cultural terms it belongs to Central America. Nicaragua has only two neighbors: in the south, it borders with Costa Rica, in the north - with Honduras. It is washed by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean.
Its area covers 129,494 km 2 . The coastline of the country stretches for 921 km, and land borders cover 1231 km. The largest city and capital of Nicaragua is Managua with a population of 1,850 people. Other major cities: Granada, Esteli, Chinandega, Leon, etc. The main currency of the republic is Cordoba, first put into circulation in 1912. The coins of Nicaragua are called centavos.
Geography of Nicaragua
The country is endowed with great natural diversity and resource potential. It has various minerals and fertile soils that are not fully utilized.
Almost half of the territory where Nicaragua is located is covered by the highlands. It starts from the north and narrows in a southwest direction. These are the spurs of the Cordillera, occupied by forests and coffee plantations. In parallel with the highlands in the east stretch swampy lowlands, called the Mosquito Coast. Mangroves and evergreen tropical plants grow here.
A chain of volcanoes stretches along the western coast of Nicaragua. Their presence made the soil more fertile than in the eastern part. Therefore, most of the settlements and agricultural land are located in the western region.
The nature of the republic contains both familiar species and rather exotic specimens. Along with the usual oaks and pines, it contains rubber noses, sapodilla tree, mahogany, nispero. Cougars, monkeys, turtles, ocelots, alligators and deer live in the mountains and impenetrable jungle, hummingbirds, toucans, pheasants and parrots fly. Bright bird brown momot living in small thickets and gallery forests, is a symbol of the country of Nicaragua. She has a long tail (up to 35 cm), which is often completely naked in the middle, but has several feathers at the end.
Lake nicaragua
In the southwestern part of the country, at the very border with Costa Rica, there is a large lake Nicaragua. Once it was a bay, but due to volcanic activity, part of the bottom rose and cut it off from the ocean. Nicaragua is now the largest freshwater lake in all of Latin America with an area of 8157 km 2 .
The length of the pond stretches for 177 kilometers, and its depth ranges from 13 to 45 meters. Closer to the west bank are two archipelagos. The San Juan River connects it with the Caribbean Sea. Thanks to this, shipping is developed here, and the nearest city of Granada is a lakeside port.
The lake often behaves uneasily, and the locals even compare it to the sea. In the past, pirate attacks occurred on it. In the waters of Nicaragua there are sharks and swordfish, on this fact he has no equal in the world.
History of the Republic
The territory where Nicaragua is located was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Twenty years later, the Spaniards arrived here to establish their colonies. At that time, local tribes had a developed culture with their religion and architecture. Not all Indians agreed to give their native lands to Europeans; in the north, the war lasted several years. It was possible to conclude a peace treaty with the southwestern tribes, and the whole country began to be called after the name of their leader Nicarao.
The first colonial cities were Granada and Leon. Near them were plantations of coffee, cane and cocoa, which were used by African slaves. The culture of the Indians gradually faded away. Many indigenous people died from clashes with the Spaniards and imported diseases, many mixed with the colonists.
Conquistadors mastered the north and the Pacific coast of the country. On the eastern shores, near the jungle and swamps, English pirates settled. In the XVII-XIX centuries, they plundered Spanish ships on the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua.
Nicaragua gained independence in 1821, and soon became a part of the Mexican Empire for several years, and then the United Provinces of Central America. In 1838, Great Britain and the USA fought for influence over the country. Further Nicaragua had to survive the dictatorship, revolution and civil war. The latter ended in 1988. In 1990, Democrats came to power, but political intrigues continue to this day.
Population
The Republic of Nicaragua is the largest state in Central America by area, and at the same time one of the most sparsely populated. The population density in the country is 47.5 people / km 2 , according to this indicator it is only Belize with a density of 16.2 people / km 2 . In total, 6.248 people live in the republic.
By racial composition, the population of Nicaragua is 69% represented by mestizos, about 17% are white. The rest of the inhabitants belong to the Negroid race, Sambo, mulattos, etc. About 5% are descendants of the indigenous population of the country - the Indians.
The official language is Spanish. English is known to very few, in the country it is spoken mainly by blacks living on the east coast. Less than 2% of the population in everyday life speaks Native American languages. Most of the country's inhabitants are Christians, namely, Catholics. In addition to them, there are Jehovah's Witnesses, Moravans, evangelists, atheists and Muslims.
Nicaragua has an average level of human development and ranks 125 out of 188. The population belongs to the growing type: the majority of the inhabitants (63.8%) are people from 15 to 65 years old, while 32% of the population are under 15 years old. This pattern is usually characteristic of developing countries in which there is a high birth rate and mortality rate.
Economy
The civil war in the 80s greatly weakened the country's economy. Nicaragua has one of the lowest GDP among Latin American countries. In 2007, about 50% of the population was below the poverty line, and the state had an external debt of $ 3 billion.
Nevertheless, Nicaragua has great potential. Deposits of gold, silver, tungsten, copper, mercury, zinc, nickel, oil and gas, and various minerals were discovered here. Most of them are not being developed now. Salt, gold and silver are mined in the country. The industry is represented by the food industry and the processing of agricultural raw materials.
The economy accounts for the production of dairy and meat products, the cultivation and processing of coffee, rice, soy, cane, corn, bananas and tobacco. Together with shrimp and lobster, all these products go for export. About 56% of GDP is in the service sector.
Capital
The city of Managua became the capital of the country in 1855. Among all, the city of Central America is only Guatemala in terms of number. It was founded in 1846 on the shores of the lake of the same name, at the foot of the volcano Momotombo.
The capital of Nicaragua simply attracts cataclysms. He suffered from devastating floods, fires, and, nearby, a sleeping volcano three times already led to earthquakes. In 2014, a meteorite fell near the capital's airport, a crater five meters deep is now testifying to this.
Despite all the troubles, Managua is in good shape. The city is the financial and industrial center of the country. It even preserved some sights, for example, the mausoleum of the revolutionary Carlos Fonseca, the building of the National Gallery and the Cathedral of Santiago, which withstood the earthquake in 1931.
Nicaragua Attractions
Due to poverty and low popularity, Nicaragua is not too well equipped for tourists. But to rest in it is much cheaper than most of the neighbors of the country, but of course there is something to see. First of all, everyone goes to meet with nature.
Lake Nicaragua with volcanic islands and the remnants of the legacy of the American Indians is suitable for this. In the Caribbean waters of the country, you can relax on the Corn Islands with coconut plantations, excellent beaches and coral reefs.
In the town of Esteli, you can learn the secrets of growing tobacco, as well as purchase local cigars. The surrounding area offers beautiful views with gorges, a waterfall and Catholic churches founded by colonialists. Extreme sportsmen visit the new and active volcano Cerro Negro, which erupted some 18 years ago. One of the entertainments is descent on boards along its slopes covered with gravel.
Spanish colonial architecture can be touched in Granada and Leon. Most of the buildings are perfectly preserved and are still functioning.
Finally
Nicaragua is located in Central America, between Honduras and Costa Rica. The country is poor, but quite colorful. Impenetrable jungle, beautiful lakes, mountain rivers, volcanoes and magnificent beaches surrounded by coral reefs are the main highlights of Nicaragua.
This is the land of the Indians, whose culture was significantly influenced by European colonists. They brought their religion and language here, built their cities and temples. A mixture of two traditions is felt everywhere, even in cooking. Local food is based on rice, meat, corn and a variety of vegetables and spices.
Despite poverty, the level of crime in the country is much lower than that of most other Central American states. If you add low prices, beautiful landscapes, beaches, you get a great country to visit.