Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua (Spanish: República de Nicaragua). The country's name is a portmanteau of Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lake Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes 'Lake Nicaragua" and Lake Managua in the region.
Nicaragua is the largest country of Central America. It borders Honduras in the north and Costa Rica in the south and it houses two big lakes: Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua. Lake Nicaragua is the biggest lake of Central America and has the only fresh-water sharks in the world!
Managua, Nicaragua's capital city, is equipped with all modern facilities. Cinemas, shopping malls, and high class hotels can be found in the capital. In colonial cities like León or Granada you can still find ancient, colorful houses, charming little streets, and lively plazas. Two small islands in the Atlantic Ocean - the Corn Islands - offer everything for a pleasant Caribbean vacation: white beaches, tropical blue waters, and magnificent coral reefs. Every traveler can find his favorite place in Nicaragua!
A tropical climate can be observed in Nicaragua. Just as in the other Central American countries, there are two seasons: the dry and the raining season. During the dry season (January - June) there is virtually no rain and trees and plants start to dry out. Once the rains come around June, July, everything starts growing and the yellow plants and leafless trees turn green and start blossoming. In August and September it often rains once a day. Fortunately, it just rains for a short period of time and these are often spectacular, tropical downpours. In the eastern part of the country it rains more than in the west.
There are three temperature zones in Nicaragua. In the lowlands (Pacific and Atlantic coast) temperatures vary roughly between 72° F at night and 86° F at daytime (22° C - 30° C). Temperature can reach 100° F in May (38° C). The central part of the country is about 9° F (5° C) cooler, and in the mountains in the north it's about 18° F (10° C) cooler.
The blending of different cultures that took place in Nicaragua resulted in the birth of a creative, varied, happy, and humorous culture. Even though this culture is barely known worldwide it assures its audience an interesting experience.
In the same way, the hospitality, goodness, and friendliness of the Nicaraguan people are recognized by visitors that have the opportunity to get to know this nation. Here is an overview of the Nicaraguan culture.
Religious celebrations are loud, crowded events in Nicaragua. Having saints as inspirations, numerous dances, music and traditional interpretation have been made.
Each city and each town has their own ‘Saint boss’ or ‘Santo Patrono’ as they are called in Nicaragua, designated since colonial times. These festivities that take place when the inhabitants of each town honor their Saint are called ‘Fiestas Patronales’, and they continue for several days in a row. These celebrations are very colorful, folkloric and crowded; they are a real manifestation of the Nicaraguan culture.
Many of the participants do not partake as a result of real religious devotion, they mainly go to the festivities because it is part of a tradition. Nevertheless, there are many that come and maintain the religious mysticism alive.
Tourist Attractions in Nicaragua are:
Nicaragua has three main eco-regions. Pacific, Central and Atlantic; the Pacific region is home to volcanoes, lakes, tropical forests, beaches and mangrove systems; the Central region is home to mountains, rivers and agricultural areas; and the Atlantic region contains rainforests, marine lagoons, mangrove systems and coral reefs. Tourists are well catered for in these areas.
Managua, There are several museums in Managua, one of the most interesting of which is Las Huellas de Acahualinca. There are several volcanic crater lagoons in the environs of Managua – centers of watersports and residential development with boating, fishing and picnicking facilities. Laguna de Xiloa is the most popular of these lagoons. Boats can be hired on the shores of Lake Managua for visiting the still-smoking Momotombo volcano and the shore villages.
León, capital of Nicaragua, with a university, religious colleges, the largest cathedral in Central America and several colonial churches. Discover the history of poet Ruben Dario at his childhood home, the Ruben Dario Museum. North of León are the Hervideros de San Jacinto, natural sulphuric hot springs fed by an underground river which is heated by the Telica volcano.
Granada has many beautiful buildings and has faithfully preserved its Castilian traditions located at the foot of the Mombacho volcano,. The cathedral has been rebuilt in neo-classical style. Also of interest are the Church of La Merced, the Church of Jalteva and the fortress-church of San Francisco.
Managua are Masachapa and Pochomil beaches. Montelimar Beach Resort is the largest of its kind in Central America. A visit to the El Velero beach is recommended. On the Caribbean coast, there are a number of small ports, the most important of which is Bluefields. From here, one can get a boat to the beautiful, coral-fringed Corn Islands (Islas del Maiz), the larger of which is a popular Nicaraguan holiday resort with surfing and bathing facilities that make it ideal for tourists. The Pacific coast has a number of fine beaches, including El Coco, Marsella, Ocotal, San Juan del Sur and many others which are located in the south of Nicaragua in the department of Rivas.
NICARAGUA National Animal : Two-toed Sloth
NICARAGUA National Bird : Turquoise-browed Motmot
NICARAGUA National Flower : Sacuanjoche Plumeria rubra acutifolia
Nicaragua National Name : Republic of Nicaragua
National Capital : Managua
Nicaragua Area : Approx. 130,373n Sq Km (50,337 Sq. Mi), 0.09% of total
Nicaragua Population : 5,822,000 in 2010 (0.09% in total)
Ethnicity in Nicaragua : mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Nicaragua Languages : Spanish (official). note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Religions in Nicaragua: Roman Catholic 73%, Evangelical 15%, Moravian 2%, none 9% (1995)
Currency : C?rdoba ,NIC
Time Zone : UTC-06
