Violeta Barrios de Chamorro won the election. mi) making it the region's biggest country. Very few significant streams flow west to the Pacific Ocean. The coast is also subject to destructive tropical storms and hurricanes, particularly from July through October. A very special and divers group of people inhabit the great country of Nicaragua. arable land: Their chief was named Nicarao. food , culture, eduacation, homes, and family ways of living. Largest but most sparsely populated of the Central American nations, Nicaragua borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. km (50,340 sq. Before 1855, however, it was an obscure village. Nicaragua is a country in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras. ), Total renewable water resources:' The valley of the Río San Juan forms a natural passageway close to sea level across the Nicaraguan isthmus from the Caribbean Sea to Lago de Nicaragua and the rift. Like many other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is known for its high levels of biodiversity and unique ecosystems. There have been widespread protests against a corrupt government and these are sometimes met with force. Nicaragua. In 1988, Hurricane Joan forced hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans to flee their homes and caused more than US$1 billion in damage, most of it along the Caribbean coast. Nicaragua consists of three definite geographical regions: the Atlantic Lowlands, the North-Central … The "hot land" is characteristic of the foothills and lowlands from sea level to about 750 meters (2,461 ft) of elevation. its population is 1, 555, 687. most of the world enjoys nicis. Geography Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, bordering Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Most of the area is flat, except for a line of young volcanoes, many of which are still active, running between the Golfo de Fonseca and Lago de Nicaragua. This time, Enrique Bolanos won the presidency and his campaign pledged to improve the economy, build jobs and end government corruption. physical features of Nicaragua Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Nicaragua was originally inhabited by Native American tribes. Managua. The People of Nicaragua. Today Nicaragua's government is considered a republic. Nicaragua is mountainous in the west, with fertile valleys. This sea is a popular tourist destination for people who come to see its clear blue waters, coral reefs, and tropical islands. Nicaragua is a country located in Central America to the south of Honduras and north of Costa Rica. Nicaragua’s economic freedom score is 57.2, making its economy the 115th freest in the 2020 Index. Please Help this Page. Hundreds of shocks occur each year, some of which cause severe damage. Rainfall is seasonal—May through October is the rainy season, and December through April is the driest period. Daytime averages in this region are 22 to 24 °C (71.6 to 75.2 °F), with nighttime lows below 15 °C (59 °F). Nicaragua, as the largest Central American country, is even home to the largest body of freshwater in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua. In 1821, Nicaragua gained its independence from Spain. M. Maps of Nicaragua; Media in category "Geography of Nicaragua" The following 12 files are in this category, out of 12 total. If you are trying to find Nicaragua on a map, its geographical coordinates are 13°00′N 85°00′W. Given the country's position in Central America, many of the departments are coastal, including a string of them along the nation's western edge that includes Chinandega, León, Managua, and others. Table of Contents. This quiz game will help you memorize their names and locations. other: permanent crops: The tierra templada, or the "temperate land," is characteristic of most of the central highlands, where elevations range between 750 and 1,600 meters (2,461 and 5,249 ft).The "cold land" at elevations above 1,600 meters (5,249 ft), is found only on and near the highest peaks of the central highlands. gale. Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44.4 km; 27.6 mi) The climate of Nicaragua is considered tropical in its lowlands with cool temperatures at its higher elevations. Nicaragua's main crops are coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, and beans. Facts on world and country flags, maps, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations. Following its independence, Nicaragua underwent frequent civil wars as rival political groups struggled for power. Nicaragua's capital, Managua, has warm temperatures year-round that hover around 88 degrees (31˚C). 1.76% All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nicaragua Geography 2020 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page. The Nicaragua Canal Project. Government of Nicaragua. Nicaragua covers a total area of 130,370 square kilometers (119,990 square kilometers of which is land area) and contains a variety of climates and terrains. Wedged between Costa Rica and Honduras, Nicaragua is a good all-round destination.Think beautiful cathedrals, elegant architecture, a ton of history, and loads of nature to get to grips with. BORDERED by COSTA RICA and HONDURAS, Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. Nicaragua Brief History of Nicaragua:. 83.66% (2011. Mean annual precipitation for the rift valley and western slopes of the highlands ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 millimeters (39.4 to 59.1 in). The actions of Ortega and his dictatorship ended friendly relations with the U.S. and in 1981, the U.S. suspended all foreign aid to Nicaragua. In 1985, an embargo was also placed on trade between the two countries. Pages in category "Geography of Nicaragua" This category contains only the following page. Infoplease is the world's largest free reference site. Geography of Nicaragua History of Nicaragua. In November 2020, two major hurricanes: Eta and Iota, made landfall on the nation in nearly same locations in consecutive weeks, causing hundreds of deaths throughout the caribbean region and causing millions of dollars in damage. land: Its economy is based mainly on agriculture and industry, with its top industrial products being food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, and wood. These peaks lie just west of a large crustal fracture or structural rift that forms a long, narrow depression passing southeast across the isthmus from the Golfo de Fonseca to the Río San Juan. Geography Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection (PCL) ... Nicaragua.com Nicaragua.com is owned and operated by Paley Media. Aleman's presidency, however, had severe issues with corruption and in 2001, Nicaragua again held presidential elections. It has an executive branch made up of a chief of state and a head of government, both of which are filled by the president and a legislative branch comprised of a unicameral National Assembly. Nicaragua, as the largest Central American country, is even home to the largest body of freshwater in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua. Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) Near the coast, where river courses widen and river banks and natural levees are low, floodwaters spill over onto the floodplains until large sections of the lowlands become continuous sheets of water. As such, Nicaragua is home to large cats like the jaguar and cougar, as well as primates, insects, and a plethora of different plants. From the southwest edge of Lago de Nicaragua, it is only nineteen kilometers to the Pacific Ocean. Those that do are steep, short, and flow intermittently. The local people call themselves Nicas, while outsiders call them Nicaraguans. The Geography of Transport Systems FIFTH EDITION Jean-Paul Rodrigue (2020), New York: Routledge, 456 pages. Beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and lobster are also large industries in Nicaragua.. It currently faces deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. At night temperatures drop to 21 to 24 °C (69.8 to 75.2 °F) most of the year. River bank agricultural plots are often heavily damaged, and considerable numbers of savanna animals die during these floods. Although periodic volcanic eruptions have caused agricultural damage from fumes and ash, earthquakes have been by far more destructive to life and property. These two lakes are joined by the Río Tipitapa, which flows south into Lago de Nicaragua. The rift is occupied in part by the largest freshwater lakes in Central America: Lago de Managua (56 kilometers long and 24 kilometers wide) and Lago de Nicaragua (about 160 kilometers long and 75 kilometers wide). The Caribbean lowlands are sometimes considered synonymous with the former department of Zelaya, which is now divided into the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte, RACCN) and the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Sur, RACCS) and constitutes about 45 percent of Nicaragua's territory. It has two coastlines; the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The soil is generally leached and infertile. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/nicaragua Nicaragua is a large country located in Central America between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua's judicial branch consists of a Supreme Court. You asked for merch so we made it for you! To the east lies the Caribbean, and to the west the Pacific. Its overall score has decreased by 0.5 point due to a drop in the fiscal health score. It is at this precise location on the globe that you will find the amazing coastal plains, interior mountains, old volcanoes and the narrow pacific coastal plain that is known … Nicaragua is known for its biodiversity because rainforest covers 7,722 square miles (20,000 sq km) of the country's Caribbean lowlands. Pacific Volcanic Chain. 130,370 km2 • Nicaragua's life expectancy is 71.5 years.• Nicaragua's Independence Day is September 15.• Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua but English and other native languages are also spoken. Most of the Pacific zone is tierra caliente, the "hot land" of tropical Spanish America at elevations under 610 metres (2,000 ft). total: Surrounding the lakes and extending northwest of them along the rift valley to the Golfo de Fonseca are fertile lowland plains highly enriched with volcanic ash from nearby volcanoes. Temperatures remain virtually constant throughout the year, with highs ranging between 29.4 and 32.2 °C (85 and 90 °F). water: Map of Nicaragua Area Total 129,494 km2 Land 120,254 km2 Water She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. From 1912 to 1933, the U.S. had troops in the country to prevent hostile actions toward Americans working on the canal there. Because Western Nicaragua is located where two major tectonic plates collide, it is subject to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. More directly west of the lake region is a narrow line of ash-covered hills and volcanoes that separate the lakes from the Pacific Ocean. Fertile soils are found only along the natural levees and narrow floodplains of the numerous rivers, including the Escondido, the Río Grande de Matagalpa, the Prinzapolka, and the Coco, and along the many lesser streams that rise in the central highlands and cross the region en route to the complex of shallow bays, lagoons, and salt marshes of the Caribbean coast. Transportation and Spatial Structure However, Nicaragua was hit with renewed political trouble in 2018, and it was hit hard. Nicaragua's name comes from its native peoples that lived there in the late 1400s and early 1500s. The country's physical geography divides it into three major zones: the Pacific lowlands, the wetter, cooler central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. A volcanic … In 1996, there was another election and the former mayor of Managua, Arnoldo Aleman, won the presidency. The country is divided into three distinctive geographical regions : the Pacific Lowlands, the North-Central Mountains and the Caribbean Lowlands (also known as the MOSQUITO COAST ). It is contained by Central America, South America, and the West Indies, and lends its name to the areas of land surrounding it. Cobbleroad to El Sauce.JPG 2,048 × 1,536; 392 KB. The eastern Caribbean lowlands of Nicaragua form the extensive and exaggerated (occupying more than 50 percent of national territory) and still sparsely settled lowland area known as the Costa de Mosquitos (Miskito Coast). National GDP: $18,880,000,000 The eastern Caribbean lowlands of Nicaragua form the extensive (occupying more than 50 percent of national territory) and still sparsely settled lowland area known as … These rugged mountains are composed of ridges 900 to 1,809 meters high and a mixed forest of oak and pine alternating with deep valleys that drain primarily toward the Caribbean. Europeans did not arrive in Nicaragua until 1524 when Hernandez de Cordoba founded Spanish settlements there. Nicaragua is located in the center of America, in an area that divides the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua - Nicaragua - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing engage as much as one-third of the labour force and produce about one-fifth of the total national income. Nicaragua's name comes from its native peoples that lived there in the late 1400s and early 1500s. The high winds and floods, accompanying these storms often cause considerable destruction of property. He attempted to keep strong ties with the U.S. and his two sons succeeded him in office. The Pacific lowlands extend about 75 kilometers inland from the Pacific coast. Two big lakes, Nicaragua and Managua, are connected by the Tipitapa River. This interesting location causes Nicaragua to have great biodiversity and also mountains, volcanoes, beaches, lakes and other features. Located on the southern shores of Lake Managua, the city's site had been an ancient Indian settlement of the Chorotega called Manahuec. These lowlands are densely populated and well cultivated. Tropical rain forests are characteristic from the Laguna de Perlas to the Río San Juan, in the interior west of the savannas, and along rivers through the savannas. Despite these goals, however, subsequent Nicaraguan elections have been marred with corruption and in 2006 Daniel Ortega Saavdra, an FSLN candidate, was elected. Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. ISBN 978-0-367-36463-2 Follow @ecojpr. After more instability in the later 2000s, Honduras today is considered a democratic … It is slightly larger than New York State. Shortly thereafter, the FSLN formed a dictatorship under leader Daniel Ortega. Nicaragua is one of the few countries where people will find this variety so close together. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nicaragua Geography 2020 information contained here. Almost 20 percent of the country is part of the Pacific region. Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments and two autonomous regions for local administration. Rainfall varies greatly in Nicaragua. This route was considered as a possible alternative to the Panama Canal at various times in the past. The relatively dry western slopes of the central highlands, protected by the ridges of the highlands from the moist winds of the Caribbean, have drawn farmers from the Pacific region since colonial times. Exclusive economic zone: 123,881 km2 (47,831 sq mi). 196.6 km3 (2011), Maritime claims The country can be divided into roughly three physiographic regions, the Pacific lowlands, central highlands, and the Caribbean highlands. Nicaragua is located in Central America to the south of Honduras and to the north of Costa Rica. Nicaragua Political Geography; Managua. Hurricanes or heavy rains in the central highlands where agriculture has destroyed much of the natural vegetation also cause considerable crop damage and soil erosion. Transportation and Geography; 2. 10,380 km2, Southernmost point: Trinidad, Río San Juan, Westernmost point: Pacific coast at Gulf of Fonseca, Chinandega Department, Easternmost point: Miskito Cays archipelago, North Caribbean Coast Autonomous RegionLowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mHighest point: Mogotón 2,438 m, Land use: During Chamorro's time in office, Nicaragua moved toward creating a more democratic government, stabilizing the economy and improving human rights issues that had occurred during Ortega's time in office. Facts About Nicaragua. In 1979, there was an uprising by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) and the Somoza family's time in office ended. In 1909, the United States intervened in the country after hostilities grew between Conservatives and Liberals due to plans to build a trans-isthmian canal. Pork, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and Water pollution trouble in 2018, and occasionally hurricanes... 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