Antigua Catedral de ManaguaAntigua Catedral de Managua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Antigua_Catedral_de_Managua#mediaviewer/File:Antigua_Catedral_de_Managua.jpg
Author: eric molina
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Managua is the capital of Nicaragua. It is also the largest city in terms of population and size. Managua covers 544 sq km (210 sq mi) and has a population of 2.2 million people, within a metropolitan area of 2.4 million inhabitants. It is the second biggest city in Central America after Guatemala City.

Managua was founded in 1819, making it much younger than many other cities in Nicaragua, particularly León and Granada. Its original name was Leal Villa de Santiago de Managua. Until it was declared the national capital in 1852, the title alternated between León and Granada.

Located on an earthquake prone area, Managua is expected to experience a major earthquake at least once every fifty years. This however has not prevented it from being the most populous city and the biggest metropolitan area in the country. The city is the political as well as economic, social and cultural hub of Nicaragua.

Metrocentro shopping mall in ManaguaMetrocentro shopping mall in Managua
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metrocentro_Managua_2.jpg
Author: Vrysxy
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Visiting Managua

Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) is the gateway to Managua as well as to Nicaragua. There are regular flights from Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Buses, minibuses and vans provide services connecting Managua with all major cities and towns in Nicaragua.

Places of Interest in Managua

  1. Catedral de Managua
    Ruins of the old cathedral destroyed by the earthquake of 1972.

  2. Huellas de Acahualinca
    Prehistoric footprints made by some 10 people on a lake bed some 6,000 years ago, preserved by a subsequent volcanic eruption.

  3. Palacio Nacional
    Former national palace now used as a museum showcasing the history of Nicaragua, with exhibits ranging from 2,500-year-old stone sculptures to colonial and cultural artifacts.

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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