Nicaragua

Horses on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Horses_on_Ometepe.jpg
Author: Mat Honan


Nicaragua is a country in Central America. Covering 130,373 sq km (50,193 sq mi), it is the largest country in Central America. It is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country has a population of close to 6 million people. The capital and largest city is Managua.

Nicaragua is six hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). Traffic is driven on the right side. The phone IDD code is +505. The electricity is 120V/60Hz using USA plug.

Church of Parroquia El Calvario, Nicaragua, Nicaragua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parroquia_El_Calvario.JPG
Author: Charlie29


Nicaragua was first sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1502 during his fourth voyage. Spanish conquest of the land was led by Gil González Dávila in 1520. The first Spanish settlement was established in 1524. Nicaragua was established as a Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1536.

As with its Central American neighbors, Nicaragua declared independence from Spain on 15 September 1821 to join the short-lived First Mexican Empire. It became an independent state in 1838.

Concepcion Volcano, Nicaragua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Concepcion_from_finca.JPG
Author: David Ansley


Nicaragua was one of the wealthiest countries in Central America in the early part of the 20th century, when it was ruled by the heredictary dictatorship of the Somoza family, which ended with the overthrow of the dictatorship and the eventual assassination of Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the last president of the ruling family. Since then, the country has undergone decades of economy stagnation. It was however the first country in the Americas to elect a female head of state, in 1990.

The nominal GDP of Nicaragua in 2010 is estimated at $6.246 billion, which translates to a per capita nominal GDP of just $966. The per capita GDP at purchasing power parity stood at $2,635.

Fruit seller in Masaya, Nicaragua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Masaya-_veggies.jpg
Author: Adrian Sampson

Planning your visit to Nicaragua

Most visitors require a visa for entering Nicaragua. Visitors from selected countries can obtain a Tourist Card for US$10 valid for a month. There is a departure tax of US$32 when leaving Nicaragua.

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport in Managua is the main airport serving Nicaragua. The airport receives scheduled flights from major cities in Central America and the United States including Houston, Miami and Atlanta.

Major Cities in Nicaragua

Places of Interest in Nicaragua

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