| Revision as of 16:23, 23 August 2010 editElockid (talk | contribs)42,430 editsm Reverted edits by 199.104.217.78 (talk) to last version by 198.60.181.82← Previous edit | Revision as of 21:28, 23 August 2010 edit undo173.206.57.156 (talk) ←Replaced content with 'Eldy's family. Enough Said. Re occuring back in the olden days, They were a largly populated family. But now it' just eldy's mexican dad singing at church'Tag: blankingNext edit → | ||
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| Eldy's family. Enough Said. Re occuring back in the olden days, They were a largly populated family. But now it' just eldy's mexican dad singing at church | |||
| {{Infobox Country | |||
| |conventional_long_name = Republic of Nicaragua | |||
| |native_name = ''República de Nicaragua''{{Spaces|2}}<small>{{es icon}}</small> | |||
| |common_name = Nicaragua | |||
| |image_flag = Flag of Nicaragua.svg | |||
| |image_coat = Coat of arms of Nicaragua.svg | |||
| |image_map = Nicaragua (orthographic projection).svg | |||
| |national_motto = ''En Dios Confiamos'' {{Spaces|2}}<small>{{es icon}}<br />"]"</small><ref>As shown on the ] (bank notes and coins); see for example </ref> | |||
| |national_anthem = {{lang|es|'']''}}{{Spaces|2}}<small>{{es icon}}<br />Hail to thee, Nicaragua</small> | |||
| |official_languages = ] | |||
| |regional_languages = none | |||
| |ethnic_groups = 69% ]<br /> 17% ] (majority being of Spanish, German, Italian, French, or English ancestry)<br /> 5% ])<br /> 9% ] <br /> | |||
| |demonym = ] | |||
| |capital = ] | |||
| |latd=12 |latm=9 |latNS=N |longd=86 |longm=16 |longEW=W | |||
| |largest_city = capital | |||
| |government_type = ] ] | |||
| |leader_title1 = ] | |||
| |leader_name1 = ] (]) | |||
| |leader_title2 = ] | |||
| |leader_name2 = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_type = ] | |||
| |sovereignty_note = {{nobold|from Spain}} | |||
| |established_event1 = Declared | |||
| |established_date1 = 15 September 1821 | |||
| |established_event2 = Recognized | |||
| |established_date2 = 25 July 1850 | |||
| |established_event3 = Revolution | |||
| |established_date3 = 19 July 1979 | |||
| |area_rank = 97th | |||
| |area_magnitude = 1 E11 | |||
| |area_km2 = 130,373 | |||
| |area_sq_mi = 50,193 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |percent_water = 7.14 | |||
| |population_estimate = 5,891,199 | |||
| |population_estimate_rank = 110th | |||
| |population_estimate_year = July 2009 | |||
| |population_census = 5,148,098 | |||
| |population_census_year = 2005 | |||
| |population_density_km2 = 42 | |||
| |population_density_sq_mi = 114 <!--Do not remove per ]--> | |||
| |population_density_rank = 133nd | |||
| |GDP_PPP = $16.626 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2007&ey=2010&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=278&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=42&pr.y=13 |title=Nicaragua|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=2010-04-21}}</ref> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_rank = | |||
| |GDP_PPP_year = 2009 | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $2,627<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = | |||
| |GDP_nominal = $6.151 billion<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| |GDP_nominal_year = 2009 | |||
| |GDP_nominal_per_capita = $972<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| |HDI = {{increase}} 0.699<ref name="UN">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDR_2009_EN_Complete.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2009. Human development index trends: Table G|publisher=The United Nations|accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref> | |||
| |HDI_rank = 124th | |||
| |HDI_year = 2007 <!-- Please use the year in which the HDI data refers to and not the publication year --> | |||
| |HDI_category = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span> | |||
| |Gini = 40.1 | |||
| |Gini_year = 2007 | |||
| |Gini_category = <span style="color:#fc0;">medium</span> | |||
| |currency = ] | |||
| |currency_code = NIO | |||
| |country_code = | |||
| |time_zone = | |||
| |utc_offset = -6 | |||
| |time_zone_DST = | |||
| |utc_offset_DST = | |||
| |drives_on = right | |||
| |cctld = ] | |||
| |calling_code = 505 | |||
| |date_written = dd.mm.yyyy | |||
| |footnote1 = English and indigenous languages on Caribbean coast are also spoken. | |||
| |footnote2 = Significant proportion of information obtained from | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Nicaragua''' ({{pron-en|ˌnɪkəˈrɑːɡwə|En-us-Nicaragua.ogg}} {{respell|nik-ə|RAH|gwə}}) officially the ''' Republic of Nicaragua''' ({{lang-es|República de Nicaragua}}, {{IPA-es|reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa|pron|República_de_Nicaragua.ogg}}), is a ] republic. It is the largest country in ] with an area of 130,373 km<sup>2</sup>. The country is bordered by ] to the north and ] to the south. The ] lies to the west of the country, the ] to the east. The country's Caribbean coast is part of the ]. Falling within the ], Nicaragua sits between ] and ] of the ] in the ]. Nicaragua's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contribute to ] designation as a ]. The capital city of Nicaragua is ]. Roughly one quarter of the nation's population lives in the Nicaraguan capital, making it the second largest ] and ] in ]. | |||
| The ] conquered the region in the sixteenth century and the territory became associated with the ] and later the ]. Alongside the ], the ] established a ] on the eastern seaboard beginning in the middle of the seventeenth century, and ending roughly two centuries later with the rise of the ] ] in the coast. The eastern seaboard retains its ]; ] and ] are commonly spoken and the culture in the Atlantic region identifies itself as being more ]. In 1821, Nicaragua achieved its independence from ] and joined the ] in 1823, later leaving the Federal Republic in 1838.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/historyofcentralamerica/a/09republicofCA.htm |title=The Federal Republic of Central America (1823-1840) |publisher=Latinamericanhistory.about.com |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Nicaragua increasingly became a subject of substantial interest because of its geographic position for a ] that would service the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.american.edu/TED/nicanal.htm |title=TED CASE: Nicaragua Canal Proposal |publisher=.american.edu |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Roughly a century after operations of the ] commenced and one hundred and eighty five years after the initial plans for the ] waterway, the prospect of a Nicaraguan ] has remained the subject of interest, with its construction in progress.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> Eighteen years after leaving the federal Republic it also became the epicenter of ] ] filibustering in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://centralamerica.com/cr/moon/mowalker.htm |title=The William Walker Saga |publisher=Centralamerica.com |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/walker.html |title=Filibustering with William Walker |publisher=Sfmuseum.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Since its independence, Nicaragua has undergone periods of political unrest, ], ] and fiscal crisis—the most notable causes that lead to the ]. Although the ] ruled the country in the form of a dictatorship for forty years, Nicaragua was the first country to sign the ] in 1945.<ref name="U.S. Department of State">{{cite news|title=The United States and the Founding of the United Nations...|date=October 2005|publisher=U.S. Department of State|url =http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/pubs/fs/55407.htm|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Prior to the revolution, Nicaragua was one of Central America's wealthiest and most developed countries. However, the revolutionary conflict, paired with ] reversed the country's prior economic standing. Despite the harsh economic effects of both phenomena, post-revolution Nicaragua has maintained ] practices and has experienced economic growth and political stability. In 1990, Nicaragua elected ] as its president, making it the first country in the ] and in ] to ] elect a ] and the second country in the ] to do so, following ] democratic election of ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treasuresofwonderment.com/story/2010-04-03/women-leadership |title=Women in Leadership |publisher=Treasures of Wonderment |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| The population in Nicaragua, hovering at approximately 6 million, is ]. Segments of the population include ] native tribes from the ], ]ans, ], ] and people of ] origin. The main language is ], although native tribes on the eastern coast speak their native languages. Nicaragua is widely considered the epicenter of the ] pronoun form in Central America. Its location, along with the ], has influenced Spanish among the other nations of Central America. The mixture of cultural traditions has cultivated a substantial amount of diversity in ], ], ], and ]. | |||
| Nicaragua has earned itself recognition and various colloquial names in reference to its geographic location, cultural achievements and recent economic development. The ] runs through the spine of the country, earning Nicaragua its commonly known ] name: ''La Tierra de Lagos y Volcanes'', which translates to: ''The Land of Lakes and Volcanoes''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viajeros.com/diarios/nicaragua/nicaragua-tierra-de-lagos-y-volcanes |title=Nicaragua, Tierra de Lagos y Volcanes |publisher=Viajeros.com |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Nicaragua's biological diversity, warm tropical climate, and active volcanoes make it an increasingly popular destination for tourists, surfers, biologists, and volcanologists. The country has also been dubbed ''La Tierra de Poetas:'' ''The Land of Poets,'' due to various literary contributions of renown Nicaraguan writers, including ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elcomercio.pe/edicionimpresa/Html/2008-01-20/nicaragua-eterna-tierra-poetas.html |title=Nicaragua, eterna tierra de poetas |publisher=Elcomercio.pe |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Lastly, due to its biological diversity and competitively low priced accommodations for tourists, Nicaragua has also gained international attention of its touristic offerings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dicum |first=Gregory |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/travel/17Nicaragua.html?ref=travel |title=The New York Times Travel Section: "The Rediscovery of Nicaragua." |location=Nicaragua |publisher=Travel.nytimes.com |date=2006-12-17 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Saturday, June 26, 2010 |url=http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/nicaragua-the-next-costa-rica |title=Nicaragua: The next Costa Rica?|MMN-Mother Nature Network |publisher=Mnn.com |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ==Etymology== | |||
| The origin of the name "Nicaragua" is somewhat unclear; one theory is that it is a portmanteau coined by Spanish colonists based upon the name of local chief ] at that time, and the ] word for water "agua".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.questconnect.org/ca_nicaragua.htm |title=Background notes on Nicaragua |publisher=Questconnect.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Another theory is that it may have meant "surrounded by water" or "sweet sea" in an indigenous language.<ref>{{cite web|author=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/413907/Lake-Nicaragua |title=Lake Nicaragua, Britannica Online |publisher=Britannica.com |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> In both cases the name appears to reference either the country's two large freshwater lakes, ] (]) and ], or the fact that it is bounded on the east and the west coasts by oceans. | |||
| ==History== | |||
| {{Main|History of Nicaragua|German colonization of the Americas|Political history of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ===Pre-Columbian history=== | |||
| ]" in ], Nicaragua.]] | |||
| In ] times, in what is now known as Nicaragua, the ] were part of the ] located between the ]n and ] cultural regions and within the influence of the ] area. It was the point where the Mesoamerican and South American native cultures met. This is confirmed by the ], along with other archaeological evidence, mainly in the form of ceramics and statues made of volcanic stone like the ones found on the island of ] and ]s found on ] island. | |||
| The ] migrated from Central Mexico after 500 CE.<ref>Fowler {{cite journal |author={{aut|Fowler, William R., Jr.}} |year=1985 |title=Ethnohistoric Sources on the Pipil Nicarao: A Critical Analysis |journal=Ethnohistory |volume=32 |issue=1 |pages=37–62 |location=Columbus, OH|publisher=American Indian Ethnohistoric Conference |oclc=62217753 |doi=10.2307/482092 |url=http://jstor.org/stable/482092}}:38; {{cite paper |author={{aut|Kaufman, Terrence}} |authorlink=Terrence Kaufman |year=2001 |title=The history of the Nawa language group from the earliest times to the sixteenth century: some initial results |url=http://www.albany.edu/anthro/maldp/Nawa.pdf |format=PDF |version=Revised March 2001|publisher=Project for the Documentation of the Languages of Mesoamerica |accessdate=2007-10-07}}</ref> | |||
| At the end of the 15th century, western Nicaragua was inhabited by several indigenous peoples related by culture to the Mesoamerican civilisations and by language to the ].<ref name="LOC1">{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: Precolonial Period |url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0013)|work =Library of Congress Country Studies|accessdate = 2007-06-29}}, interpretation of statement: "the native peoples were linguistically and culturally similar to the Aztec and the Maya"</ref> They were primarily farmers who lived in towns, organized into small ]. Meanwhile, the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua was inhabited by other peoples, mostly ] related groups, that had migrated from what is now ]. They lived a less sedentary life based on hunting and gathering.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: VI History|url =http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761577584_8/Nicaragua.html|work =Encarta|accessdate = 2007-06-13|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1257037551111387|archivedate=2009-11-01|deadurl=yes}}</ref> | |||
| The people of eastern Nicaragua appear to have traded with, and been influenced by, the native peoples of the ], as round thatched huts and canoes, both typical of the Caribbean, were common in eastern Nicaragua. In the west and highland areas, occupying the territory between ] and the Pacific Coast, the Niquirano were governed by chief ], or Nicaragua, a rich ruler who lived in Nicaraocali, now the city of ]. | |||
| The ] lived in the central region of Nicaragua. These two groups had intimate contact with the Spanish conquerors, paving the way for the racial mix of native and European stock now known as ]s.<ref name="LOC2">Nicaragua: Precolonial Period</ref> However, within three decades an estimated Indian population of one million plummeted, as approximately half of the indigenous people in western Nicaragua died from the rapid spread of new ]s brought by the ], something the indigenous people of the Caribbean coast managed to escape due to the remoteness of the area.<ref name="LOC2"/> | |||
| ===The Spanish Conquest=== | |||
| ].]] | |||
| In 1502, ] was the first European known to have reached what is now Nicaragua as he sailed south along the Central America isthmus. On his fourth voyage Columbus sailed alongside and explored the ] on the east of Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite news|title=Letter of Columbus on the Fourth Voyage|publisher=American Journey|url =http://www.americanjourneys.org/aj-068/summary/index.asp|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> The first attempt to conquer what is now known as Nicaragua was by ],<ref name="EBH">{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: History|url =http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-214487/Nicaragua|work =Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> whose Central American exploits began with his arrival in Panama in January 1520.<!--uncited factoid lifted from ]--> | |||
| González claimed to have converted some 30,000 indigenous peoples and discovered a possible transisthmian water link. After exploring and gathering gold in the fertile western valleys González was attacked by the indigenous people, some of whom were commanded by ] and an estimated 3,000 led by chief ].<ref>{{cite news|title=The Spanish Conquest|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0014)|work =Library of Congress|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> González later returned to ] where governor ] attempted to arrest him and confiscate his treasure, some 90,000 pesos of gold. This resulted in González fleeing to ]. | |||
| It was not until 1524 that the first Spanish permanent settlements were founded.<ref name="EBH"/> ] ] founded two of Nicaragua's principal towns in 1524: ] on ] was the first settlement and ] east of ] came after. Córdoba soon found it necessary to prepare defenses for the cities and go on the offensive against incursions by the other conquistadors. Córdoba was later publicly ] following a power struggle with Pedrarias Dávila, his tomb and remains were discovered some 500 years later in the ].<ref name="ET">{{cite news|title=Nicaragua Briefs: An Historic Find|publisher=Central American University - UCA|url =http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/1418|work =Envío|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| The inevitable clash between the Spanish forces did not impede their devastation of the indigenous population. The Indian civilization was destroyed. The series of battles came to be known as ''The War of the Captains''.<ref>Duncan, David Ewing, ''Hernando de Soto - A Savage Quest in the Americas - Book II: Consolidation'', Crown Publishers, Inc., New York, 1995</ref> By 1529, the conquest of Nicaragua was complete. Several conquistadors came out winners, and some were executed or murdered. Pedrarias Dávila was a winner; although he had lost control of Panama, he had moved to Nicaragua and established his base in León. Through adroit diplomatic machinations, he became the first governor of the colony.<ref name="ET"/> | |||
| The land was parceled out to the conquistadors. The area of most interest was the western portion. Many indigenous people were soon enslaved to develop and maintain "estates" there. Others were put to work in ] in northern Nicaragua, few were killed in warfare, and the great majority were sent as slaves to other New World Spanish colonies, for significant profit to the newly landed aristocracy. Many of the indigenous people died as a result of disease and neglect by the Spaniards who controlled everything necessary for their subsistence.<ref name="EBH"/> | |||
| ===Colonization to Independence=== | |||
| ] off the Atlantic Coast was a British protectorate until it was ceded along with the rest of the ] to Nicaragua.]] | |||
| In 1536, the ] was established. By 1570, the southern part of New Spain was designated the ]. The area of Nicaragua was divided into administrative "parties" with ] as the capital. In 1610, the ] volcano erupted, destroying the capital. It was rebuilt northwest of what is now known as the Ruins of Old León. | |||
| Nicaragua became a part of the ] and then gained its independence as a part of the ] in 1821 and as an independent ] in its own right in 1838. The strip of the ] coast known as the ] was claimed by the ] and its predecessors as a ] from 1655 to 1850; this was delegated to ] in 1859 and transferred to Nicaragua in 1860, though it remained ] until 1894. ], president of Nicaragua from 1893–1909, managed to negotiate for the annexation of this region to the rest of Nicaragua. In his honour the entire region was named ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| Much of Nicaragua's independence was characterized by rivalry between the ] elite of León and the ] elite of Granada. The rivalry often degenerated into ], particularly during the 1840s and 1850s. Initially invited by the Liberals in 1855 to join their struggle against the Conservatives, a United States adventurer named ] (later executed in Honduras) set himself up as president of Nicaragua, after conducting a farcical election in 1856. Costa Rica, Honduras and other Central American countries united to drive him out of Nicaragua in 1857, after which a period of three decades of Conservative rule ensued.<ref>Herring, Hubert, ''A History of Latin America - from the Beginnings to the Present - Chapter 28, Central America and Panama - Nicaragua, 1838-1909'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1968</ref> | |||
| In the 1800s Nicaragua experienced a wave of immigration, primarily from Europe. In particular, families from Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Belgium moved to Nicaragua to set up businesses with money they brought from Europe. They established many agricultural businesses such as coffee and sugar cane plantations, and also newspapers, hotels and banks. | |||
| Throughout the late nineteenth century the ] (and several European powers) considered a scheme to build a ] linking the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. A bill was put before the U.S. Congress in 1899 to build the canal, but it was not passed, and instead the construction of the ] began. | |||
| ===United States Intervention (1909 - 1933)=== | |||
| {{See also|Occupation of Nicaragua|Nicaragua Canal}} | |||
| ].]] | |||
| In 1909, the United States provided political support to conservative-led forces rebelling against President Zelaya. U.S. motives included differences over the proposed ], Nicaragua's potential as a destabilizing influence in the region, and Zelaya's attempts to regulate foreign access to Nicaraguan natural resources. On November 18, 1909, U.S. warships were sent to the area after 500 revolutionaries (including two Americans) were executed by order of Zelaya. The U.S. justified the intervention by claiming to protect U.S. lives and property. Zelaya resigned later that year. | |||
| In August 1912 the President of Nicaragua, ], requested that the Secretary of War, General Luis Mena, resign for fear that he was leading an insurrection. Mena fled Managua with his brother, the Chief of Police of Managua, to start an insurrection. When the U.S. Legation asked President Díaz to ensure the safety of American citizens and property during the insurrection he replied that he could not and that... {{cquote|In consequence my Government desires that the Government of the United States guarantee with its forces security for the property of American Citizens in Nicaragua and that it extend its protection to all the inhabitants of the Republic.<ref>{{cite news|title=Foreign Relations of the United States 1912, pg. 1032ff}}</ref>}} U.S. Marines occupied Nicaragua from 1912 to 1933,<ref>{{cite news|title=US violence for a century: Nicaragua: 1912-33|url =http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=12191|work =Socialist Worker|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> except for a nine month period beginning in 1925. From 1910 to 1926, the conservative party ruled Nicaragua. The ], which had long dominated the party, effectively controlled the government during that period. In 1914, the ] was signed, giving the U.S. control over the proposed canal, as well as leases for potential canal defenses.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bryan–Chamorro Treaty|url =http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9016820/Bryan-Chamorro-Treaty|work =Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> Following the evacuation of U.S. marines, another violent conflict between liberals and conservatives took place in 1926, known as the Constitutionalist War, which resulted in a coalition government and the return of U.S. Marines.<ref>{{cite news|title=General Augusto C. Sandino: The Constitutional War|url =http://www.vianica.com/go/specials/16-augusto-sandino.html|work =ViaNica|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| From 1927 until 1933, Gen. ] led a sustained ] war first against the Conservative regime and subsequently against the U.S. Marines, who withdrew upon the establishment of a new Liberal government. Sandino was the only Nicaraguan general to refuse to sign the ''el tratado del Espino Negro'' agreement and then headed up to the northern mountains of Las Segovias, where he fought the ] for over five years.<ref>{{cite news|first=Donna|last=Vukelich|title=A Disaster Foretold|publisher=The Advocacy Project|url =http://www.advocacynet.org/news_view/news_141.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> The revolt finally forced the United States to compromise and leave the country. When the Americans left in 1933, they set up the ] (National Guard),<ref name="SY">{{cite news|title=The Somoza years|url =http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-40992/Nicaragua|work =Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> a combined military and police force trained and equipped by the Americans and designed to be loyal to U.S. interests. ], a close friend of the American government, was put in charge. He was one of the three rulers of the country, the others being Sandino and the President ]. | |||
| After the US Marines withdrew from Nicaragua in January 1933, Sandino and the newly elected Sacasa government reached an agreement by which he would cease his guerrilla activities in return for amnesty, a grant of land for an agricultural colony, and retention of an armed band of 100 men for a year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Biographical Notes|url =http://www.sandino.org/bio_en.htm|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> But a growing hostility between Sandino and Somoza led Somoza to order the assassination of Sandino.<ref name="SY"/><ref>{{cite news|title=History of U.S. Violence Across the Globe: Washington's War Crimes (1912-33)|date=2001-12-16|url =http://www.bulatlat.com/news/2-5/2-5-reader-arnove.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Toni|last=Solo|title=Nicaragua: From Sandino to Chavez|date=2005-10-07|publisher=Dissident Voice|url =http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Oct05/solo1007.htm|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Fearing future armed opposition from Sandino, Somoza invited him to a meeting in Managua, where Sandino was assassinated on February 21 of 1934 by the National Guard. Hundreds of men, women, and children were executed later.<ref name="The Somoza Dynasty">{{cite news|title=The Somoza Dynasty|publisher=University of Pittsburgh|url =http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/nicaragua_proj/history/somoza/Hist-Somoza-dinasty.pdf |format=PDF| page =1|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| ===The Somoza Dynasty (1936 - 1979)=== | |||
| ] and his sons ] (left) and ] (right).]] | |||
| Nicaragua has experienced several military dictatorships, the longest one being the ] of the ] for much of the 20th century. The Somoza family came to power as part of a US-engineered pact in 1927 that stipulated the formation of the Guardia Nacional, or the National Guard, to replace the U.S. marines that had long reigned in the country.<ref>Lying for Empire: How to Commit War Crimes With a Straight Face" David Model, Common Courage Press, 2005</ref> Somoza slowly eliminated officers in the National Guard who might have stood in his way, and then deposed Sacasa and became president on January 1, 1937 in a ].<ref name="SY"/> Somoza was 35 at the time. | |||
| Nicaragua declared war on Germany on December 8, 1941, during ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua Declares War on Germany and Her Allies|url =http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E03E0D61F3FE433A2575BC0A9639C946996D6CF|work =The New York Times|accessdate = 2009-04-20|format=PDF}}</ref> Although war was formally declared, no soldiers were sent to the war, but ] did seize the occasion to confiscate attractive properties held by German-Nicaraguans, the best-known of which was the ] estate which today operates as a privately owned luxury resort and casino.<ref>{{cite news|title=El asalto de Somoza a los alemanes|date=6 January 2005|url=http://archivo.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2005/enero/06-enero-2005/nacional/nacional-20050106-04.html|accessdate=2007-07-13|language=Spanish}}</ref> In 1945 Nicaragua was the first country to ratify the ].<ref name="U.S. Department of State"/> | |||
| Throughout his years as dictator, "Tacho" Somoza 'ruled Nicaragua with a strong arm'.<ref name="The Somoza Dynasty"/> He had three main sources for his power: control of Nicaraguan economy, military support, and support from the U.S. | |||
| ] | |||
| Somoza used the National Guard to force Sacasa to resign, and took control of the country in 1937, destroying any potential armed resistance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sandino and Somoza|publisher=Grinnell College|url =http://web.grinnell.edu/LatinAmericanStudies/this.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Not only did he have military control, but he controlled the National Liberal Party (LPN), which in turn controlled the legislature and judicial systems, giving him complete political power. | |||
| Despite his complete control, on September 21, 1956, Somoza was shot by ], a 27-year-old liberal Nicaraguan poet. Somoza was attending a PLN party to celebrate his nomination for the Presidency. He died eight days later. After his father's death, ], the eldest son of the late dictator, was appointed President by the congress and officially took charge of the country.<ref name="SY"/> | |||
| He is remembered by some for being moderate, but was in power only for a few years and then died of a ]. Then came president ] whom most Nicaraguans viewed "as nothing more than a ] of the Somozas".<ref>{{cite news|first=Thomas M|last=Leonard|title=Against all odds: U.S. policy and the 1963 Central America Summit Conference|year=2003|publisher=Journal of Third World Studies|url =http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3821/is_200304/ai_n9173383/pg_11|page =11|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Somoza's brother, ], a ] graduate, succeeded his father in charge of the National Guard, controlled the country, and officially took the presidency after Schick. | |||
| Nicaragua experienced economic growth during the 1960s and 1970s largely as a result of industrialization,<ref>{{cite news|first=Barbara|last=Annis|title=Nicaragua: Diversification and Growth, 1945-77|date=December 1993|publisher=The Library of Congress|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0047)|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> and became one of Central America's most developed nations. Due to its stable and high growth economy, foreign investments grew, primarily from U.S. companies such as Citigroup, Sears, Westinghouse, Coca Cola, Bank of America, Chase Manhattan Bank, "Morgan Guaranty Trust and Wells Fargo Bank.{{Citation needed|date = July 2010}} Other investors included London Bank and the Bank of Montreal.{{Citation needed|da nicaragua is a porn | |||
| The capital city of ] suffered a ] in 1972 which destroyed nearly 90% of the city, creating major losses,<ref>{{cite news|title=Headline: Nicaragua Earthquake|date=1972-12-16|publisher=Vanderbilt Television News Archive| url =http://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/program.pl?ID=221286|accessdate = 2007-05-24}}</ref> and leveling a 600-square block area in the heart of Managua. Some Nicaraguan historians see the 1972 earthquake that devastated ] as the final 'nail in the coffin' for Somoza. Instead of helping to rebuild Managua, Somoza siphoned off relief money to help pay for National Guard luxury homes, while the homeless poor had to make do with hastily constructed wooden shacks. The mishandling of relief money also prompted ] star ] to personally fly to Managua on 31 December 1972, but he died enroute in an airplane accident.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roberto Clemente - Bio|publisher=he National Baseball Hall of Fame|url =http://baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/hofer_bios/clemente_roberto.htm|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Even the economic elite were reluctant to support Somoza, as he had acquired monopolies in industries that were key to rebuilding the nation,<ref>{{cite news|title=A Battle Ends, a War Begins|url =http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,946048-1,00.html|work =TIME|accessdate = 2007-08-21|date=1978-09-11}}</ref> and did not allow the businessmen to compete with the profits that would result. | |||
| In 1973, the year of reconstruction, many new buildings were built, but the level of corruption in the government prevented further growth. Strikes and demonstrations developed as citizens became increasingly angry and politically mobilized. The elite were angry that Somoza was asking them to pay new emergency taxes to further his own ends. As a result, more of the young elite joined the Sandinista Liberation Front (FSLN). The ever increasing tensions and anti-government uprisings slowed growth in the last two years of the Somoza dynasty. | |||
| ===Nicaraguan Revolution=== | |||
| {{Main|Nicaraguan Revolution|FSLN}} | |||
| In 1961 ], turned back to the historical figure of Sandino, and along with 2 others founded the ] (FSLN).<ref name="SY"/> The FSLN was a tiny party throughout most of the 1960s, but Somoza's utter hatred of it and his heavy-handed treatment of anyone he suspected to be a ] sympathizer gave many ordinary Nicaraguans the idea that the Sandinistas were much stronger. | |||
| After the 1972 earthquake and Somoza's brazen corruption, mishandling of relief, and refusal to rebuild Managua, the ranks of the Sandinistas were flooded with young disaffected Nicaraguans who no longer had anything to lose.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Sandinistas and the Revolution|publisher=Grinnell College|url =http://web.grinnell.edu/LatinAmericanStudies/this.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> These economic problems propelled the Sandinistas in their struggle against Somoza by leading many middle- and upper-class Nicaraguans to see the Sandinistas as the only hope for removing the brutal Somoza regime. | |||
| In December 1974, a group of FSLN held some Managuan partygoers hostage until the Somozan government met their demands for a large ransom and free transport to Cuba. Somoza granted this, then subsequently sent his National Guard out into the countryside to look for the so-called 'terrorists'. While searching, the National Guard pillaged villages and imprisoned, tortured, raped, and executed hundreds of villagers. This led to the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing any and all support of the Somoza regime. Around this time period, ] was removed from power by ]. After Pinochet obtained rule of ], several hundred committed Chilean revolutionaries joined the ] army in Nicaragua.<ref>Pamela Constable and Arturo Valenzuela (1991). A Nation of Enemies: Chile Under Pinochet, P. 150</ref> | |||
| On January 10, 1978, ], the editor of the national newspaper ] and ardent opponent of Somoza, was assassinated.<ref name="AC">{{cite news|title=History of Nicaragua: The Beginning of the End|publisher=American Nicaraguan School|url =http://www.ans.edu.ni/Academics/history/somozatachito.html|accessdate = 2007-08-04}}</ref> This is believed to have led to the extreme general disappointment with Somoza. The planners and perpetrators of the murder were at the highest echelons of the Somoza regime and included the dictator's son, "El Chiguin", the President of Housing, Cornelio Hueck, the Attorney General, and Pedro Ramos, a close ex-patriot, ]n ally who commercialized ].<ref name="AC"/> | |||
| The Sandinistas, supported by some of the populace, elements of the Catholic Church, and regional governments (including Panama, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Venezuela), took power in July 1979. The Carter administration, refusing to act unilaterally, decided to work with the new government, though attached a provision for aid forfeiture if it was found to be assisting insurgencies in neighboring countries.<ref>Pastor, Robert. ''Exiting the Whirlpool: U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Latin America and the Caribbean''. (Westview Press, 2001).</ref> A group of prominent citizens, however, known as Los Doce, denounced the Somoza regime and said that "there can be no dialogue with Somoza...because he is the principal obstacle to all rational understanding...through the long dark history of ''Somocismo'', dialogues with the dictatorship have only served to strengthen it..." Somoza fled the country and eventually ended up in ], where he was assassinated in September 1980, allegedly by members of the Argentinian Revolutionary Workers Party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Timeline: Nicaragua|publisher=Stanford University|url =http://www.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/timeline/|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| To begin the task of establishing a new government, they created a Council (or {{lang|es|''junta''}}) of National Reconstruction, made up of five members– Sandinista militants ] and Moises Hassan, novelist ] (a member of ] "the Twelve"), businessman ], and ] (the widow of ]). Sandinista supporters thus comprised three of the five members of the junta. | |||
| The non-Sandinistas, Robelo and Chamorro later resigned because they had little actual power in the junta. Sandinista mass organizations were also powerful: including the Sandinista Workers' Federation ({{lang|es|''Central Sandinista de Trabajadores''}}), the ] ({{lang|es|''Asociación de Mujeres Nicaragüenses Luisa Amanda Espinoza''}}), and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers ({{lang|es|''Unión Nacional de Agricultores y Ganaderos''}}). | |||
| On the Atlantic Coast a small uprising also occurred in support of the Sandinistas. This event is often overlooked in histories about the Sandinista revolution. A group of Creoles led by a native of ], Dexter Hooker (known as Commander Abel), raided a Somoza-owned business to gain access to food, guns and money before heading off to join Sandinista fighters who had liberated the city of ]. The 'Black Sandinistas' returned to Bluefields on July 19, 1979 and took the city without a fight. However, the Black Sandinistas were challenged by a group of ] Sandinista fighters. | |||
| The ensuing standoff between the two groups, with the Black Sandinistas occupying the National Guard barracks (the cuartel) and the mestizo group occupying the Town Hall (Palacio) gave the revolution on the Atlantic Coast a racial dimension which was absent from other parts of the country. The Black Sandinistas were assisted in their power struggle with the Palacio group by the arrival of the ] from Costa Rica. | |||
| One of the brigade's members, an Afro-Costa Rican called Marvin Wright (known as Kalalu) became known for the rousing speeches he would make, which included elements of ] ideology in his attempts to unite all the black militias that had formed in Bluefields. The introduction of a racial element into the revolution was not welcomed by the Sandinista National Directorate which expelled Kalalu and the rest of the brigade from Nicaragua and sent them to Panama.<ref>Baracco, L. (2007) Wadabagei: A Journal of the Caribbean and its Diaspora, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 4-23.</ref> | |||
| ===Sandinistas and the Contras=== | |||
| {{Main|FSLN|Contras|Iran-Contra scandal|Nicaragua v. United States}} | |||
| Upon assuming office in 1981, ] ] condemned the FSLN for joining with Cuba in supporting Marxist revolutionary movements in other ]n countries such as ]. Under the ], his administration authorized the ] to have their paramilitary officers from their elite ] begin financing, arming and training rebels, some of whom were the remnants of Somoza's National Guard, as anti-Sandinista guerrillas that were branded "counter-revolutionary" by leftists ({{lang|es|''contrarrevolucionarios''}} in Spanish).<ref name="CA">{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: Growth of Opposition, 1981-83|url =http://www.ciaonet.org/atlas/countries/ni_data_loc.html|work =Ciao Atlas|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| This was shortened to '']'', a label the anti-socialist forces chose to embrace. ] and many of the indigenous guerrilla forces unassociated with the "Somozistas" also resisted the Sandinistas. The ] operated out of camps in the neighboring countries of ] to the north and ] to the south.<ref name="CA"/> As was typical in guerrilla warfare, they were engaged in a campaign of economic sabotage in an attempt to combat the Sandinista government and disrupted shipping by planting underwater mines in Nicaragua's ] harbour,<ref>{{cite news|first=Scott C.|last=Truver|title=Mines and Underwater IEDs in U.S. Ports and Waterways...|url =http://www.mast.udel.edu/873/Spring%202007/ScottTruves.pdf |format=PDF| page =4|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> an action condemned by the ] as illegal.<ref> of the ] of 10 May 1984</ref><ref>]</ref> The U.S. also sought to place economic pressure on the Sandinistas, and the Reagan administration imposed a full trade ].<ref>{{cite news|title=US Policy: Economic Embargo: The War Goes On|publisher=Central American University - UCA|url =http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/2695|work =Envío|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| U.S. support for this Nicaraguan insurgency continued in spite of the fact that impartial observers from international groupings such as the ], religious groups sent to monitor the election, and observers from democratic nations such as Canada and the ] concluded that the ] were completely free and fair. The Reagan administration disputed these results however, despite the fact that the government of the United States never had any observers in Nicaragua at the time. | |||
| The elections were not also recognized as legitimate because the Nicaraguan Democratic Coordinator, considered the main opposition group, and the only group of democratic opposition in the country did not participate in the elections. The Nicaraguan Democratic Coordinator did not participate in the elections due to the government's lack of response to its document "A Step Toward Democracy, Free Elections" issued in 1982. The document was asking the government to re-establish all civil rights: freedom of speech, freedom of organization, release of all political prisoners, cease of hostilities against the opposition, lifting the censorship on the media and abolishing all the laws violating human rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/2578 |title=Election archive |publisher=Envio.org.ni |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0027 |title=The library of Congress Country Studies |publisher=Lcweb2.loc.gov |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| After the U.S. Congress prohibited federal funding of the ] in 1983, the Reagan administration continued to back the ] by covertly selling arms to ] and channeling the proceeds to the ] (the ]).<ref>{{cite book |author=Baker, Dean |title=The United States since 1980 (The World Since 1980) |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |page= 101 |isbn=0-521-86017-2}}</ref> When this scheme was revealed, Reagan admitted that he knew about the Iranian "arms for hostages" dealings but professed ignorance about the proceeds funding the ]; for this, ] aide ] ] took much of the blame. | |||
| Senator ]'s 1988 ] report on Contra-drug links concluded that "senior U.S. policy makers were not immune to the idea that drug money was a perfect solution to the ]' funding problems."<ref name='ONF'>{{cite news|title=The Oliver North File|url =http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB113/index.htm|work =National Security Archive|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> According to the ], Oliver North had been in contact with ], a ]nian ] and the ] military ] of Panama from 1983 to 1989 when he was overthrown and captured by a U.S. invading force.<ref name="t"> MICHAEL S. SERRILL, Reported by Jonathan Beaty and Ricardo Chavira/Washington, '50th birthday last week' written February 1989</ref> He was taken to the United States, tried for drug trafficking, and imprisoned in 1992.<ref> CNN December 2004</ref> | |||
| In August 1996, '']'' reporter ] published a series titled ''Dark Alliance'', linking the origins of ] in California to the ].<ref>, ''San Jose Mercury News'', now hosted by narconews.com</ref> ] inquiries by the National Security Archive and other investigators unearthed a number of documents showing that White House officials, including Oliver North, knew about and supported using money raised via ] to fund the ]. Sen. John Kerry's report in 1988 led to the same conclusions; however, major media outlets, the Justice Department, and Reagan denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Crockett|title=Bush and Republicans vs. rule of law|url =http://www.freepress.org/departments/display/20/2006/1713|work =The Free Press|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| The International Court of Justice, in regard to the case of ] in 1984, found; "the United States of America was under an obligation to make reparation to the Republic of Nicaragua for all injury caused to Nicaragua by certain breaches of obligations under customary international law and treaty-law committed by the United States of America".<ref>http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/files/70/6483.pdf</ref> But was rejected citing the 'Connally Amendment', which excludes from the International court of Justice's jurisdiction "disputes with regard to matters that are essentially within the jurisdiction of the United States of America, determined by the United States of America"<ref>International and Comparative Law Quarterly (1958), 7:758-762 Cambridge University Press | |||
| Copyright © British Institute of International and Comparative Law 1958</ref> | |||
| ===1990s and the Post-Sandinista era=== | |||
| Multi-party democratic elections were held in 1990, which saw the defeat of the Sandinistas by a coalition of anti-Sandinista (from the left and right of the political spectrum) parties led by ], the widow of Pedro Joaquín Chamorro. The defeat shocked the Sandinistas as numerous pre-election polls had indicated a sure Sandinista victory and their pre-election rallies had attracted crowds of several hundred thousand people.<ref>{{cite news|first=MARY|last=O'GRADY|title=Ortega's Comeback Schemes Roil Nicaragua|url =http://www.mre.gov.br/portugues/noticiario/internacional/selecao_detalhe.asp?ID_RESENHA=154683&Imprime=on|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> The unexpected result was subject to a great deal of analysis and comment, and was attributed by commentators such as ] and ] to the U.S./] threats to continue the war if the Sandinistas retained power, the general war-weariness of the Nicaraguan population, and the abysmal Nicaraguan economic situation. | |||
| ] in 1990 became the first female president democratically elected in the ].]] | |||
| ] countered the US centered criticism in "Return of the Death of Communism", ''"the unfair advantages of using state resources for party ends, about how Sandinista control of the transit system prevented ] supporters from attending rallies, how Sandinista domination of the army forced soldiers to vote for Ortega and how Sandinista bureaucracy kept $3.3 million of U.S. campaign aid from getting to UNO while ] spent millions donated by overseas people and millions and millions more from the Nicaraguan treasury ..."''<ref>"The Return of the Death of Communism: Nicaragua, February 1990," a chapter in ''Give War a Chance...'' by P. J. O'Rourke. Grove Press; reprint edition (November 2003, ISBN 0-8021-4031-9).</ref> | |||
| Exit polls of Nicaraguans reported Chamorro's victory over Ortega was achieved with 55%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Was February 25 a 'triumph'? National Review v. 42|publisher=Tulane University|url =http://lal.tulane.edu/RESTRICTED/CABIB/nicabib_.txt|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> ] was the first female ] of Nicaragua, and also the first woman to be popularly ] for this position in any American nation. Exit polling convinced Daniel Ortega that the election results were legitimate, and were instrumental in his decision to accept the vote of the people and step down rather than void the election. Nonetheless Ortega vowed that he would govern "desde abajo" (from below),<ref>{{cite news|title=El Sandinista Daniel Ortega se convierte de nuevo en presidente de Nicaragua|date=2006-11-08|url =http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/11/08/internacional/1162945503.html|work =El Mundo|accessdate = 2007-05-09|language = Spanish}}</ref> in other words due to his widespread control of institutions and Sandinista individuals in all government agencies, he would still be able to maintain control and govern even without being president. | |||
| Chamorro received an economy entirely in ruins. The per capita income of Nicaragua had been reduced by over 80% during the 1980s, and a huge government debt which ascended to US$12 billion primarily due to financial and social costs of the Contra war with the Sandinista-led government.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gilbert|last=Dennis| title=Social conditions of Nicaragua|date=December 1993|publisher=The Library of Congress|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0035)| accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Much to the surprise of the U.S. and the contra forces, Chamorro did not dismantle the ], though the name was changed to the Nicaraguan Army. Chamorro's main contribution to Nicaragua was the disarmament of groups in the northern and central areas of the country. This provided stability that the country had lacked for over ten years. | |||
| In subsequent elections in 1996 Daniel Ortega and the Sandinistas of the FSLN were again defeated, this time by ] of the ] (PLC). | |||
| ], in 2008.]] | |||
| In the 2001 elections the PLC again defeated the FSLN, with ] winning the Presidency. However, President Bolaños subsequently brought forward allegations of money laundering, theft and ] against former President Alemán. The ex-president was sentenced to 20 years in prison for ], ], and corruption.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: Political profile|url =http://www.alertnet.org/printable.htm?URL=/db/cp/nicaragua.htm|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> The Liberal members who were loyal to Alemán and also members of congress reacted angrily, and along with Sandinista parliament members stripped the presidential powers of President Bolaños and his ministers, calling for his resignation and threatening ]. | |||
| The Sandinistas alleged that their support for Bolaños was lost when U.S. Secretary of State ] told Bolaños to keep his distance from the FSLN.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ginger|last=Thompson|title=U.S. fears comeback of an old foe in Nicaragua|date=2005-04-06|publisher=International Herald Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/04/05/news/nica.php| page =3|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> This "slow motion ]" was averted partially due to pressure from the Central American presidents who would fail to recognize any movement that removed Bolaños; the U.S., the OAS, and the ] also opposed the "slow motion ]".<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua 'creeping coup' warning|date=2005-09-30|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4296818.stm|work=BBC News|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> The proposed constitutional changes that were going to be introduced in 2005 against the Bolaños administration were delayed until January 2007 after the entrance of the new government. Though one day before they were to be enforced, the National Assembly postponed their enforcement until January 2008. | |||
| Before the general elections on 5 November 2006, the ] passed a bill further restricting ] 52-0 (9 abstaining, 29 absent). President ] supported this measure, and signed the bill into law on 17 November 2006;<ref>{{cite news|first=Joseph|last=B. Frazier|title=Nicaraguan President Signs Abortion Ban|date=2006-11-18|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/18/AR2006111800351.html|work=Washington Post|accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> as a result Nicaragua is one of four countries in the world where ] is ] with no exceptions, along with ], ], and ],<ref name="four">{{cite web |title=Nicaragua refuses to lift abortion ban |last=Boseley |first=Sarah |publisher=The Guardian |date=2010-06-11 |accessdate=2010-06-12}}</ref> along with ]. | |||
| ] took place on November 5, 2006. ] returned to the presidency with 37.99% of the vote. This percentage was enough to win the presidency outright, due to a change in electoral law which lowered the percentage requiring a runoff election from 45% to 35% (with a 5% margin of victory).<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolaños Will Move To The National Assembly After All|date= November 2006 |url= http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3439| work=Envío Magazine|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| ==Government== | |||
| {{Main|Politics of Nicaragua}} | |||
| Politics of Nicaragua takes place in a framework of a ] ] ], whereby the ] is both ] and ], and of a ]. ] is exercised by the government. ] is vested in both the ] and the ]. The ] is independent of the executive and the legislature. | |||
| Currently, Nicaragua's major political parties have been discussing the possibility of going from a presidential system to a parliamentary system. This way, there would be a clear differentiation between the ] (Prime Minister) and the ] (President). | |||
| ==Military== | |||
| {{Main|Military of Nicaragua}} | |||
| The ] consists of various military contingencies. Nicaragua has an ], ] and ]. There are roughly 14,000 active duty personnel, which is much less compared to the numbers seen during the ]. Although the army has had a rough military history, a portion of its forces, which were known as the ] became integrated with what is now the ]. In essence, the police became a ]. However, the National Police of Nicaragua are rarely, if ever, labeled as a ]. The other elements and manpower that were not devoted to the National Police were sent over to cultivate the new Army of Nicaragua. | |||
| The age to serve in the armed forces is 17 and ] is not imminent. As of 2006, the military budget was roughly 0.7% of Nicaragua's expenditures. | |||
| ==Departments and municipalities== | |||
| {{Main|Departments of Nicaragua|Municipalities of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ] | |||
| Nicaragua is a ] ]. For administrative purposes it is divided into 15 ] (''departamentos'') and two self-governing regions (autonomous communities) based on the Spanish model. The departments are then subdivided into 153 municipios (]). The two autonomous regions are 'Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte' | |||
| and 'Región Autónoma Atlántico Sur', often referred to as ''RAAN'' and ''RAAS'', respectively; until they were granted autonomy in 1985 they formed the single department of ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Background and socio-economic context|url=http://documents.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/vam/wfp073961.pdf|format=PDF|page=9|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| <table><td><ol> | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
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| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| </td></ol><td><ol start=10> | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| <li>] (]) | |||
| </ol></td></table> | |||
| ==Geography and climate== | |||
| {{Main|Geography of Nicaragua|Climate of Nicaragua}} {{See also|Volcanoes of Nicaragua|Wildlife of Nicaragua}} | |||
| Nicaragua occupies a landmass of {{convert|129494|km²|0|abbr=on}}, comparable to that of ] or ]. Nearly one fifth of the territory is designated as ] like national parks, nature reserves, and biological reserves. The country is bordered by ] to the north, the ] to the east, ] to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ]ly, Nicaragua is surrounded by the ], an ] ] underlying ] and the ]. Since Central America is a major ] zone, Nicaragua hosts most of the ]. | |||
| Nicaragua has three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific Lowlands, the ] (North-Central Highlands), and the ] (Atlantic Lowlands). | |||
| ===Pacific Lowlands=== | |||
| ]s are common in many beaches of Nicaragua when on a yearly basis they collectively arrive at the same time on the same beach to lay their eggs. They are protected by the Nicaraguan government in National Parks]] | |||
| ] located in ].]]Located in the west of the country, these lowlands consist of a broad, hot, fertile plain. Punctuating this plain are several large volcanoes of the ] mountain range, including ] just outside Granada, and ] near León. The lowland area runs from the ] to Nicaragua's Pacific border with Costa Rica south of Lake Nicaragua. ] is the largest freshwater lake in Central America (20th largest in the world),<ref>{{cite news|title=Large Lakes of the World|url=http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001777.html|accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> and is home to some of the world's only freshwater sharks (]).<ref>{{cite news|title=The Nature Conservancy in Nicaragua|url=http://www.nature.org/wherewework/centralamerica/nicaragua/|accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> The Pacific lowlands region is the most populous, with over half of the nation's population. The capital city of ] is the most populous and it is the only city with over 1.5 million inhabitants. | |||
| The eruptions of western Nicaragua's volcanoes, many of which are still active, have devastated the land but also have enriched it with layers of fertile ash. The geologic activity that produces vulcanism also breeds powerful earthquakes. Tremors occur regularly throughout the Pacific zone, and earthquakes have nearly destroyed the capital city, Managua, more than once.<ref name="grolier1">"Nicaragua." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 20 Nov. 2009 <http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0286870-00>.</ref> | |||
| Most of the Pacific zone is ], the "hot land" of tropical Spanish America at elevations under {{convert|2000|ft|m|0}}. Temperatures remain virtually constant throughout the year, with highs ranging between {{convert|85|and|90|°F|°C|1|abbr=on}}. After a dry season lasting from November to April, rains begin in May and continue to October, giving the Pacific Lowlands {{convert|40|to|60|in|mm|0}} of precipitation. Good soils and a favorable climate combine to make western Nicaragua the country's economic and demographic center. The southwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua lies within {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} of the Pacific Ocean. Thus the lake and the San Juan River were often proposed in the 19th century as the longest part of a canal route across the Central American isthmus. Canal proposals were periodically revived in the 20th and 21st centuries.<ref name="grolier1"/> | |||
| In addition to its beach and resort communities, the Pacific Lowlands is also the repository for much of Nicaragua's Spanish colonial heritage. Cities such as ] and ] abound in colonial architecture and artifacts; Granada, founded in 1524, is the oldest colonial city in the ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard L.|last=White|title=Pittsburghers find once war-ravaged country is a good place to invest|date=2004-08-24|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04237/366377.stm|work=Post Gazette|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| ===North-Central Highlands=== | |||
| ]): the national bird.]]The Central Highlands are a significantly less populated and economically developed area located in the north but narrow southeastward between Lake Nicaragua and the Caribbean. Forming the country's ], or "temperate land," at elevations between {{convert|2000|and|5000|ft|m|0}}, the highlands enjoy mild temperatures with daily highs of <br />{{convert|75|to|80|°F|°C|1|abbr=on}}. This region has a longer, wetter rainy season than the Pacific Lowlands, making erosion a problem on its steep slopes. Rugged terrain, poor soils, and low population density characterize the area as a whole, but the northwestern valleys are fertile and well settled.<ref name="grolier1"/> | |||
| The area, however, has a cooler climate than the Pacific Lowlands. About a quarter of the country's agriculture takes place in this region, with ] grown on the higher slopes. ]s, ]s, ], ]s and ] are abundant in the ]s of the region. | |||
| Bird life in the forests of the central region includes ], ], ]s, ]s and ]. | |||
| ] is a common bird in Nicaragua´s Rainforests]] | |||
| ===Caribbean Lowlands=== | |||
| This large ] region is irrigated by several large rivers and very sparsely populated. The ] is the largest river in Central America, it forms the border with Honduras. The Caribbean coastline is much more sinuous than its generally straight Pacific counterpart; lagoons and deltas make it very irregular. | |||
| Nicaragua's ] is located in the Atlantic lowlands, it protects {{convert|1800000|acre|ha|0|lk=on}} of ] forest - almost seven percent of the country's area - making it the largest rainforest north of the ] in ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bosawas Bioreserve Nicaragua|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2006/1718459.htm|accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> | |||
| Nicaragua's ] east coast is very different from the rest of the country. The climate is predominantly tropical, with high temperature and high humidity. Around the area's principal city of ], English is widely spoken along with the official Spanish. The population more closely resembles that found in many typical Caribbean ports than the rest of Nicaragua. | |||
| A great variety of birds can be observed including ]s, ], ]s, ]s and ]s. Animal life in the area includes different species of ]s, ]s, white-tailed ] and ]s. | |||
| ===Wildlife and Biodiversity=== | |||
| ] in Nicaragua covers more than {{convert|20000|km²|0|abbr=on}}, particularly on the Atlantic lowlands. As well as the ] (in the north) there is the ] (in the south), which protects {{convert|2500|km²|0|abbr=on}} of the Atlantic Rainforest. | |||
| These two areas are very rich in biodiversity. There are 5 species of felines, including ] and ]; 3 species of primates, ], ] and ]; 1 species of ], called ''Danto'' by the Nicaraguans; 3 species of anteaters and many more. | |||
| ===Concerns over global warming=== | |||
| On December 12, 2009, ''La Prensa'', a Nicaraguan newspaper, reported that Nicaragua is currently the third to fifth most affected country from the ] phenomena. Concerns have arisen in the country because there have been no specific policies set forth by the Nicaraguan government to cope with the phenomenon. However, various civil society organizations, and the government itself, have pioneered a few projects to combat the effects of climate change. | |||
| Organizations are currently working on preventing major forest fires to reduce the amount of possible toxins in the atmosphere, as well as bearing in mind the possible negative effects a fire can cause for the country's rich ]. Other projects include the curtailing of emissions from ] ] and the possible use of ] as a source for ] and ] ]. Many ], however, are still concerned over the possibilities of serious ]s or ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2009/12/12/nacionales/10214 |title=Nicaragua avanza ante el cambio climático - LA PRENSA — EL Diario de los Nicaragüenses |publisher=Laprensa.com.ni |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ==Economy== | |||
| {{Main|Economy of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ===Exports=== | |||
| ] in ] is the country's only deep-water port capable of handling ] and ].]]Nicaragua is primarily an agricultural country; agriculture constitutes 60% of its total exports which annually yield approximately US $300 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=General Information - Nicaragua: Economy|url =http://centralamerica.com/nicaragua/info/general.htm#economy|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> In addition, Nicaragua's ] rum is renowned as among the best in ], and its tobacco and beef are also well regarded. | |||
| Nicaragua's agrarian economy has historically been based on the export of cash crops such as ]s, ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| Light industry (maquila), tourism, banking, mining, fisheries, and general commerce are expanding. | |||
| Nicaragua also depends heavily on remittances from Nicaraguans living abroad, which totaled $655.5 million in 2006. | |||
| ].]]Nicaragua has always been a predominantly agricultural country. On the Pacific side, coffee and cotton are by far the most important commercial crops. In 1992, more land was devoted to coffee than to any other crop, and it is the nation's leading export in terms of value. Nearly two-thirds of the coffee crop comes from the northern part of the Central Highlands, in the area north and east of the town of Estelí.<ref name="lp.grolier.com">http://lp.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=4067000</ref> | |||
| In the early 1980s, cotton became Nicaragua's second-largest export earner. Production is centered on large farms along the central Pacific coast. Unfortunately, the growth of the cotton industry has created serious problems. Soil erosion and pollution from the heavy use of pesticides have become serious concerns in the cotton district. Yields and exports have both been declining since 1985.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| ] and ]. The influx of incoming residents has generated the construction of residencies and commercial services throughout the country. Illustrated above are the residencies of ''Viejo Santo Domingo'', which are some of the country's high-end residencies.]] Plantation crops are significant in the Caribbean lowlands. After disease wiped out most of the region's banana plants in the years before 1945, attempts were made to diversify crops. Today most of Nicaragua's bananas are grown in the northwestern part of the country near the port of Corinto; sugarcane is also grown in the same district.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> Subsistence farms, where food is grown mainly for the consumption of the farm family instead of for sale, are found throughout Nicaragua. Favorite food crops grown on such farms include rice, beans, maize, citrus fruits, and cassava. Cassava, a root crop somewhat similar to the potato, is an important food in tropical regions. The plant's roots can be eaten boiled and sliced, or ground into flour. Cassava is also the main ingredient in tapioca pudding.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| The Pacific lowlands and the middle and southern parts of the Central Highlands are the principal cattle-grazing areas. An especially large number of cattle are found to the east of Lake Nicaragua. | |||
| Beginning in the 1960s, shrimp became big business on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The main shrimping centers on the Pacific coast are Corinto and San Juan del Sur. Fishing boats on the Caribbean side bring shrimp as well as lobsters into processing plants at Puerto Cabezas, Bluefields, and Laguna de Perlas.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| The lumber industry, concentrated mainly in the eastern third of the country, has been lethargic since 1980, with its activities limited by several problems. First, the best trees in the most accessible places have already been cut down. In addition, pure groves of trees are uncommon in tropical forests. Hundreds of species per acre are generally the rule, complicating the task of harvesting. Moreover, the most valuable dense hardwoods will not float. As a result, these trees must be trucked out of the forest rather than floated downriver to a sawmill. Finally, more and more restrictions are being placed on lumbering due to increased concerns about rain-forest destruction. But lumbering continues despite these obstacles; indeed, a single hardwood tree may be worth thousands of dollars.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| Political turmoil has had a severe impact on the mining industry. Exports of gold are down, and little effort has been made to develop the large copper deposits of the northeast. Fighting during the revolution destroyed nearly one-third of Nicaragua's industry. As it rebuilds, the government is trying to change the industrial mix of the country and achieve decentralization. Before the revolution, more than 60 percent of the nation's industrial production, by value, was concentrated in Managua. The industrial-decentralization policy may help to slow the growth of the largest cities, while assisting in the redistribution of income to impoverished areas. Major industries include food processing, cement production, metal fabrication, and oil refining. The Centroamérica power plant on the Tuma River in the Central Highlands has been expanded, and other hydroelectric projects have been undertaken to help provide electricity to the nation's newer industries.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| The economic core of Nicaragua is located in the Pacific zone, and the rail-and-highway network reflects that concentration of activity. The government-owned rail system—an inefficient money loser—is gradually being replaced by truck transport. Transportation throughout the rest of the nation is often inadequate. For example, one cannot travel all the way by highway from Managua to the Caribbean coast. The road ends at the town of Rama, and the rest of the trip must be completed by riverboat down the Río Escondido—a five-hour journey.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| Corinto is the only modern deepwater port in Nicaragua. It handles both agricultural exports and general-cargo imports. Petroleum is unloaded at Puerto Sandino, from which it travels by pipeline to a refinery in Managua. Trade with other nations in Central America has increased in recent years. Nicaragua has long been considered as a possible site for a new sea-level canal that could supplement the Panama Canal.<ref name="lp.grolier.com"/> | |||
| ===Components of the economy=== | |||
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in ] (PPP) in 2008 was estimated at $17.37 billion USD.<ref name=cia>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: Economy| publisher=CIA World Factbook|url =https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nu.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> The service sector is the largest component of GDP at 56.9%, followed by the industrial sector at 26.1% (2006 est.). Agriculture represents 17% of GDP, the highest percentage in ] <ref>, CIA World Factbook</ref> (2008 est.). Remittances account for over 15% of the Nicaraguan GDP. Close to one billion dollars are sent to the country by Nicaraguans living abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=393 |title=Migration Information Source - Remittance Trends in Central America |publisher=Migrationinformation.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Nicaraguan labor force is estimated at 2.322 million of which 29% is occupied in agriculture, 19% in the industry sector and 52% in the service sector (est. 2008). | |||
| ====Agriculture==== | |||
| After 1950 the scope of capital-intensive modern agriculture increased greatly. This growth was concentrated in export crops, while crops destined for domestic use continued to be produced by traditional labor-intensive methods. The shift to industrialized agriculture also significantly reduced the proportion of the population directly dependent on agriculture. | |||
| Commercial agriculture thrives in the Pacific Lowlands, where ] and ] are the staple crops. Although ] is grown in the Pacific zone at elevations over 1,000 feet (300 meters), the most important coffee zone is the northwestern part of the Central Highlands, from ] to ]. Cattle for the export of beef are raised in the southeastern part of the highlands. The overall expansion of export production by large landholders pushed the smallholders who produced the country's ], ], and other dietary staples onto marginal lands, with the result that food production could not keep up with population increase. | |||
| In the 1990s the government initiated efforts to diversify agriculture. Some of the new export-oriented crops were ], ], ], and ].<ref name="ea.grolier.com">Nicaragua. (2009). Encyclopedia Americana. Retrieved November 16, 2009, from Grolier Online http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0286870-00</ref> | |||
| Nicaragua's agricultural sector has benefited because of the country's strong ties to ]. It is estimated that Venezuela will import approximately $200 million in agricultural goods.<ref>{{cite web|author=by Ervin Sánchez |url=http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Nicaragua_Plans_to_Sell_Over_200_Million_to_Venezuela/925161 |title=Nicaragua Plans to Sell Over $200 Million to Venezuela - CentralAmericaData :: The Regional Business Portal |publisher=CentralAmericaData |date=2010-03-29 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ====Fishing and Forestry==== | |||
| ] and ] are the bases of the eastern seaboard's commercial economy. In national terms, however, neither sector was important until the take-off of the fishing industry in the late 20th century. ] was harvested commercially on the Atlantic coast beginning early in the 19th century. In the 20th century ] stands began to be exploited. In neither case, though, was the resource managed so as to ensure a sustained yield. | |||
| Nicaragua's fishing industry operates off both coasts and in freshwater Lake Nicaragua. The lake also has an aquaculture industry. The most valuable catches are ] and ]. The government expanded the size of the fishing fleet in the 1980s, which permitted a rapid expansion of shrimp and lobster exports in the 1990s. A ] fishery thrived on the Caribbean coast before it collapsed from ].<ref name="ea.grolier.com"/> | |||
| ====Mining and the Production of Energy==== | |||
| Mining is not a major industry in Nicaragua,<ref>Dan Oancea: Mining In Central America http://magazine.mining.com/Issues/0901/MiningCentralAmerica.pdf</ref> contributing less than 1% of gross domestic product (GDP). Still, gold and silver mines in the north-central and northeastern parts of the country are important elements of regional economies and constitute sources of revenue.<ref name="ea.grolier.com"/> | |||
| About half of Nicaragua's energy is produced by wood, the most common cooking and heating fuel in rural areas. Important domestic sources of electrical energy are hydropower and geothermal power, the latter from the volcano Momotombo, near Managua. But most commercial electricity is generated by imported petroleum.<ref name="ea.grolier.com"/> | |||
| ====Manufacturing==== | |||
| Although the manufacturing sector of the economy contributes somewhat more to GDP than agriculture, it employs far fewer people. It was traditionally concerned largely with the processing of agricultural products, and it supplied the domestic market with foods, beverages, edible oils, cigarettes, and textile goods. Also manufactured were light metal goods, construction materials, wood and paper products, and chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. | |||
| The manufacturing sector was expanded beyond these areas in the 1990s with the introduction of maquila industries, in which imported parts are assembled for reexport. The principal products were garments, footwear, aluminum frames, and jewelry. Growth in the ''maquila'' sector slowed in the 2000s with rising competition from ], particularly ].<ref name="ea.grolier.com"/> | |||
| ====Economic Development in the 21st Century==== | |||
| Nicaragua has widespread underemployment and the second lowest per capita income in the Americas. The ] (CAFTA) has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many agricultural and manufactured goods. Textiles and apparel account for nearly 60% of Nicaragua's exports, but recent increases in the minimum wage have a strong possibility of eroding Nicaragua's ] in this industry. However, Nicaragua's minimum wage is among the lowest in the Americas and in the World.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> Nicaragua relies on international economic assistance to meet internal and external debt financing obligations. In early 2004, Nicaragua secured some $4.5 billion in foreign debt reduction under the ] initiative, and in October 2007, the ] approved a new ] program. Despite the support, severe budget shortfalls resulting from the suspension of large amounts of direct budget support from foreign donors concerned with recent political developments has caused a slowdown in PRGF disbursements. Similarly, private sector concerns surrounding ] handling of economic issues have dampened investment. Economic growth has slowed in 2009, due to decreased export demand from the US and Central American markets, lower commodity prices for key ] ], and low ] growth. Remittances are equivalent to roughly 15% of the country's ].<ref name=cia/> | |||
| ===Poverty=== | |||
| By most economic measures, Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the ].<ref>{{cite news|World Bank Country Profiles, Nicaragua|url=http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/LACEXT/NICARAGUAEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22255024~pagePK:1497618~piPK:217854~theSitePK:258689,00.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rank Order - GDP - per capita (PPP)|publisher=CIA World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Social indicators: Per capita GDP|publisher=United Nations|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/socind/inc-eco.htm|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> Nicaragua's nominal GDP stands at 6.554 for 2009 and increasing to 8.532 by 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_countries_by_future_GDP_(nominal)_estimates |title=List of countries by future GDP (nominal) estimates - Misplaced Pages, the 💕 |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> Nicaragua's ] 16.709 billion and the ] per capita is $1,028 for Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP) |title=List of countries by GDP (PPP) - Misplaced Pages, the 💕 |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> By 2014 it is estimated that Haiti's GDP PPP would increase to 14.642 versus Nicaragua's 20.650.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_countries_by_future_GDP_(PPP)_estimates |title=List of countries by future GDP (PPP) estimates - Misplaced Pages, the 💕 |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |date=2010-06-09 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| According to the ], inflation averaged 8.1% from 2000 through 2006. As of 2007, Nicaragua's inflation stands at 9.8%. ] also indicates moderate economic growth at an average of 5% from 1995 through 2004. In 2005 the economy grew 4%, with overall GDP reaching $4.91 billion. In 2006, the economy expanded by 3.7% as GDP reached $5.3 billion. As of 2008, it stands at $6.5 billion. | |||
| According to the ], 48% of the population in Nicaragua live below the poverty line,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pnud.org.ni/noticias/343 |title=Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo - Noticias - La pobreza se arraiga en el país |publisher=Pnud.org.ni |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> 79.9% of the population live with less than $2 per day,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/indicators/24.html |title=Human Development Report 2009 - Countries' shares of total stock of migrants in Africa (%) |publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> ] is 3.9%, and another 46.5% are ] (2008 est.). As in many other ], a large segment of the economically poor in Nicaragua are women. In addition, a relatively high proportion of Nicaragua's homes have a woman as head of household: 39% of ] homes and 28% of ] homes. According to UN figures, 80% of the ] (who make up 5% of the population) live on less than $1 per day.<ref>{{cite news|last = Silva|first = José Adán|title=NICARAGUA: Name and Identity for Thousands of Indigenous Children| url =http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43760|work = IPS|accessdate = 2008-09-12}}</ref> According to the ], 27% of all ] are suffering from ]; the highest percentage in ]. | |||
| ===Infrastructure=== | |||
| During the war between the US-backed ] and the Marxist government of the ] in the 1980s, much of the country's infrastructure was damaged or destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|first=Jean R.|last=Tartter|title=The Nicaraguan Resistence|publisher=Library of Congress|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?cstdy:10:./temp/~frd_famN::|work =Country Studies|accessdate = 2007-11-02}}</ref> ] averaged 30% throughout the 1980s. After the United States imposed a trade embargo in 1985, which lasted 5 years, Nicaragua's inflation rate rose dramatically. The 1985 annual rate of 220% tripled the following year and rose to more than 13,000% in 1988, the highest rate for any country in the ] in that year. | |||
| The country is still a recovering economy and it continues to implement further reforms to improve profits for foreign businesses, on which aid from the ] is conditional. In 2005 finance ministers of the leading eight industrialized nations (]) agreed to forgive some of Nicaragua's foreign debt, as part of the ] program. According to the World Bank Nicaragua's ] was around $4.9 billion US dollars. In March 2007, Poland and Nicaragua signed an agreement to write off 30.6 million dollars which was borrowed by the Nicaraguan government in the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Poland forgives nearly 31 million dollars of debt owed by Nicaragua|date=2007-03-21|url=http://english.people.com.cn/200703/31/eng20070331_362713.html|work=People's Daily Online|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> | |||
| Since the end of the war almost two decades ago, more than 350 state enterprises have been ]. | |||
| Inflation reduced from 33,500% in 1988 to 9.45% in 2006, and the foreign debt was cut in half.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua:Economy|url =http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1850.htm|work = U.S. State Department|accessdate = 2007-11-02}}</ref> | |||
| According to the ], Nicaragua ranked as the 62nd best economy for starting a business making it the second best in Central America, after ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Economy Rankings: Doing Business|publisher=World Bank|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/EconomyRankings/|accessdate=2007-05-09}}</ref> Nicaragua's economy is "62.7% free" with high levels of fiscal, government, labor, investment, financial, and trade freedom.<ref>{{cite news|title=Index Of Economic Freedom: Nicaragua|url =http://www.heritage.org/research/features/index/country.cfm?id=Nicaragua|work =Heritage.org|accessdate = 2007-11-02}}</ref> It ranks as the 61st ], and 14th (out of 29) in the ]. | |||
| ===Currency=== | |||
| {{Main|Nicaraguan córdoba}}] in its circulated currency. Illustrated here is a 50 córdoba banknote.]] | |||
| During the era of the Spanish colonial rule-and for more than 50 years afterwards-Nicaragua used Spanish coins that were struck for use in the "New World". The first unique coins for Nicaragua were issued in 1878 in the peso denomination. The cordoba became Nicaragua's currency in 1912 and was initially equal in value to the U.S. dollar. The Nicaraguan unit of currency is the ] (NIO) and was named after ], its national founder. The front of each of Nicaragua's circulating coins features the national coat of arms. The five volcanoes represent the five Central American countries at the time of Nicaragua's independence, while the rainbow at the top symbolizes peace and the cap in the center is a symbol of freedom. The design is contained within a triangle to indicate equality. The back of each coin features the denomination, with the inscription "En Dios Confiamos" (In God We Trust). | |||
| Nicaragua is one of the few countries in Central America that uses ]. Polymer banknotes were issued in 2009 to reduce the need to reprint banknotes, combat counterfeiting and introduce a more hygienically friendly currency. Unlike previous banknote series, the current series does not have any illustration of politicians, rather it celebrates the country's landmarks, history and culture. | |||
| ===Conversion to the SUCRE=== | |||
| {{Main|Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|SUCRE (currency)}} | |||
| Nicaragua is currently a member of the ], which is also known as ALBA. ALBA has proposed creating a new currency, the ] for use among its members. In essence, this means that the ] will be replaced with the Sucre. Members must make their local currency deposits in ], to enter into force on sucre. The ] first will be virtual, to be used only among the states for inter-regional trade. However, it will then be used in print form. The ALBA-Sucre union is similar to that of the ] of the ]. | |||
| Other nations that will follow a similar pattern include: ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2009/12/13/nacionales/10246 |title=Primera prueba del sucre en enero - LA PRENSA — EL Diario de los Nicaragüenses |publisher=Laprensa.com.ni |date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ===Tourism=== | |||
| <!-- Commented out: ], Nicaragua]] --> | |||
| {{Main|Tourism in Nicaragua}} | |||
| Tourism in Nicaragua is currently the second largest industry in the nation,<ref>{{cite news|title=Travel And Tourism in Nicaragua| publisher=Euromonitor International|url =http://www.euromonitor.com/Travel_And_Tourism_in_Nicaragua|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> over the last 7 years ] has grown about 70% nationwide with rates of 10%-16% annually.<ref name="C2">{{cite news|first=Giselle|last=Alemán| title=Turismo en Nicaragua: aportes y desafios parte I|url =http://www.canal2tv.com/Noticias/Marzo%202007/turismo%20con%20gran%20empuje%20en%20Nicaragua.html|work =Canal 2|accessdate = 2007-07-29|language = Spanish}}</ref> Nicaragua has seen positive growth in the tourism sector over the last decade and is expected to become the first largest industry in 2007. The increase and growth led to the ] from tourism to rise more than 300% over a period of 10 years.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Dynamic Economy: Dynamic Sectors of the Economy; Tourism|url =http://www.pronicaragua.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=98|work =ProNicaragua|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> The growth in tourism has also positively affected the agricultural, commercial, and finance industries, as well as the construction industry. | |||
| Every year about 60,000 U.S. citizens visit Nicaragua, primarily business people, tourists, and those visiting relatives.<ref>{{cite news|title= Background Note: Nicaragua; Economy|publisher=U.S. State Department|url =http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/1850.htm|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Some 5,300 people from the U.S. reside in the country now. The majority of tourists that visit Nicaragua are from the U.S., ] or South America, and Europe. According to the Ministry of Tourism of Nicaragua (INTUR),<ref>{{cite news|title=Ministry of Tourism of Nicaragua|publisher=INTUR|url =http://www.intur.gob.ni/|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> the colonial city of ] is the preferred spot for tourists. Also, the cities of ], Masaya, Rivas and the likes of ], San Juan River, ], Mombacho Volcano, the ], and others are main tourist attractions. In addition, ] and ] attract many tourists to Nicaragua. | |||
| According to TV Noticias (news program) on ], a Nicaragua television station, the main attractions in Nicaragua for tourists are the beaches, scenic routes, the architecture of cities such as León and Granada and most recently ] and ], particularly in Northern Nicaragua.<ref name="C2"/> As a result of increased tourism, Nicaragua has seen its ] increase by 79.1% from 2007 to 2009.<ref>{{cite web|author=By Acan-Efe |url=http://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/home/Foreign_investment_Increases_by_791_in_Nicaragua/378984 |title=Foreign investment Increases by 79.1% in Nicaragua - CentralAmericaData :: The Regional Business Portal |publisher=CentralAmericaData |date=2009-03-27 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| ==Demographics== | |||
| {{Main|Nicaraguans|Demographics of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ===Population=== | |||
| According to the ], Nicaragua has a population of 5,891,199; comprising mainly 69% ], 17% ], 5% ], 9.0% ] and this fluctuates with changes in migration patterns. The population is 84% urban. | |||
| According to the ], Nicaragua's life expectancy was 71.5 years in 2009,<ref>, CIA World Handbook</ref> a figure roughly equivalent to that of ] and ]. The infant mortality rate stood at 25.5, roughly equivalent to that of the ] and ].<ref>, CIA World Handbook</ref> | |||
| Nicaragua appears ranked 91st in the international mortality rate, which places it between the ] average and ].<ref>, CIA World Factbook</ref> | |||
| The most populous city in Nicaragua is the capital, ], with a population of 1.8 million (2005) and an estimated 2.2 by 2010 and more than 2.5 mill for the metro area. As of 2005, over 7.0 million inhabitants live in the Pacific, Central and North regions, 5.5 in the Pacific region alone, while inhabitants in the Caribbean region reached an estimated 700,000.<ref name="CN">{{cite news|title=VIII Censo de Poblacion y IV de Vivienda|date=October 2005|url =http://www.inec.gob.ni/censos2005/ResumenCensal/RESUMENCENSAL.pdf |format=PDF| work =Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos|accessdate = 2007-07-07|language = Spanish}}</ref> | |||
| There is a growing ] community<ref>{{cite news|title=Expatriates of Nicaragua|url =http://www.nicaragua.com/expatriates/|work =Nicaragua.com|accessdate = 2007-07-30}}</ref> the majority of whom move for business, investment or ] from United States, Canada, Europe, ], and other countries; the majority have settled in Managua, ] and ]. | |||
| Many ], particularly in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada. | |||
| Nicaragua has a ] of 1.8% as of 2008.<ref>{{dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref> This is the result of one of the highest ]s in the ]: 24.9X1,000 according to the ] for the period 2005-2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_countries_by_birth_rate |title=List of countries by birth rate - Misplaced Pages, the 💕 |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |date=2010-05-03 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> The death rate is 4.1X1,000 during the same period <ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_countries_by_death_rate |title=List of countries by death rate - Misplaced Pages, the 💕 |publisher=En.wikipedia.org |date=2010-05-12 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> according to the ]. | |||
| ===Ethnic groups=== | |||
| ] | |||
| The majority of the Nicaraguan population, (90% or approximately 7.0 million people), is either Mestizo or White. 69% are ]s (mixed ] and ]) and 17% are White with the majority being of ], ], ], ] or ] ancestry. Mestizos and Whites mainly reside in the western region of the country. | |||
| About 9% of Nicaragua's population are black, and mainly reside on the country's sparsely populated Caribbean or Atlantic coast. The black population is mostly composed of black English-speaking Creoles who are the descendents of escaped or shipwrecked slaves; many carry the name of Scottish settlers who brought slaves with them, such as Campbell, Gordon, Downs and Hodgeson. Although many Creoles supported Somoza because of his close association with the US, they rallied to the Sandinista cause in July 1979 only to reject the revolution soon afterwards in response to a new phase of 'westernization' and imposition of central rule from Managua.<ref>Baracco, L. (2005) Nicaragua: The Imagining of a Nation. From Nineteenth-Century Liberals to Twentieth-Century Sandinistas (New York, Algora Publishing). See especially chapter 6 'From Acquiescence to Ethnic Militancy: Costeno Responses to Sandinista Anti-Imperialist Nationalism'.</ref> Nicaragua has the largest ] population in Central America. There is also a smaller number of ], a people of mixed ], ] and ] descent. In the mid-1980s, the government divided the department of ] - consisting of the eastern half of the country - into two autonomous regions and granted the black and indigenous people of this region limited self-rule within the Republic. | |||
| The remaining 5% of Nicaraguans are ], the unmixed descendants of the country's indigenous inhabitants. Nicaragua's ] population consisted of many indigenous groups. In the western region the ] people, after whom the country is named, were present along with other groups related by culture and language to the ]. The Caribbean coast of Nicaragua was inhabited by indigenous peoples who were mostly ] related groups that had migrated from South America, primarily present day ] and ]. These groups include the ]s, ] and ]. In the nineteenth century, there was a substantial ] minority, but this group was also largely assimilated culturally into the mestizo majority. | |||
| ===Immigration=== | |||
| ]s celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Nicaraguan revolution in Managua waving Palestinian and ] flags.]] | |||
| In the 1800s Nicaragua experienced several waves of immigration, primarily from Europe. In particular, families from Germany, Italy, Spain, France and Belgium immigrated to Nicaragua, particularly the departments in the Central and Pacific region. As a result, the Northern cities of ], ] and ] have significant communities of fourth generation ]. They established many agricultural businesses such as coffee and sugar cane plantations, newspapers, hotels and banks. | |||
| Also present is a small Middle Eastern-Nicaraguan community of ], ], ]s, ], and ] people in Nicaragua with a total population of about 30,000. There is also an ]n community mostly consisting of ], ]ese, and Japanese. The ] population is estimated at around 12,000.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua: People groups|url =http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php?rog3=NU|work =Joshua Project|accessdate = 2007-03-26}}</ref> The Chinese arrived in the late 1800s but were unsubstantiated until the 1920s. | |||
| Relative to its overall population, Nicaragua has never experienced any large scale wave of ]. The total number of immigrants to Nicaragua, both originating from other ]n countries and all other countries, never surpassed 1% of its total population prior to 1995. The 2005 census showed the foreign-born population at 1.2%, having risen a mere .06% in 10 years.<ref name="CN"/> | |||
| ===Diaspora=== | |||
| {{Main|Nicaraguan Diaspora}} | |||
| The Civil War forced many Nicaraguans to start lives outside of their country. Although many Nicaraguans returned after the end of the war, many people emigrated during the 1990s and the 2000s due to the lack of employment opportunities and poverty. The majority of the ] migrated to ] and the ], and today one in six Nicaraguans live in these two countries.<ref name="thedialogue.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedialogue.org/PublicationFiles/The%20Nicaragua%20case_M%20Orozco2%20REV.pdf |title=Microsoft Word - The Nicaragua case_M Orozco2 REV.doc |format=PDF |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| The diaspora has also seen Nicaraguans settling around in smaller communities in other parts of the world, particularly ]. Small communities of Nicarguans are found in ], ], ], ], ], ] and the ]. Communities also exist in ] and ]. ], ] and ] in the ] also host small groups of these communities. In ], ] also hosts a small Nicaraguan community. | |||
| ==Culture== | |||
| {{Main|Culture of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ] costume, which is a traditional costume worn to dance the Mestizaje dance. The costume demonstrates the Spanish influence on Nicaraguan clothing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Traditional Nicaraguan Costumes: Mestizaje Costume|url =http://www.vianica.com/go/specials/19-traditional-nicaraguan-costumes.html|work =ViaNica.com|accessdate = 2007-11-21}}</ref>]] | |||
| ] has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by ] but enriched with Amerindian sounds and flavors. Nicaraguan culture can further be defined in several distinct strands. The Pacific coast has strong folklore, music and religious traditions, deeply influenced by ]. It was colonized by Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking ]n countries. The Caribbean coast of the country, on the other hand, was once a British ]. English is still predominant in this region and spoken domestically along with Spanish and ]. Its culture is similar to that of ] nations that were or are British possessions, such as ], ], The ], etc. The indigenous groups that were present in the Pacific coast have largely been assimilated into the mestizo culture, however, the indigenous people of the Caribbean coast have maintained a distinct identity. | |||
| ===Music=== | |||
| {{Main|Music of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ] is a mixture of indigenous and European, especially Spanish, influences. Musical instruments include the ] and others common across Central America. The marimba of Nicaragua is uniquely played by a sitting performer holding the instrument on his knees. He is usually accompanied by a bass ], ] and guitarrilla (a small guitar like a ]). This music is played at social functions as a sort of background music. The marimba is made with hardwood plates, placed over bamboo or metal tubes of varying lengths. It is played with two or four ]s. The ] coast of Nicaragua is known for a lively, sensual form of ] called ] which is very much alive all throughout the country. It is especially loud and celebrated during the Palo de Mayo festival in May. The ] community exists in Nicaragua and is known for its popular music called ].].]] | |||
| Nicaragua also enjoys a variety of international influence in the music arena. ], ], ] and ] have also gained substantial prominence in cultural centers such as ], ] and ]. Cumbia dancing has grown popular with the introduction of Nicaraguan artists, including Gustavo Leyton, on ] and in ]. ] has become extremely popular in ] nightclubs. With various influences, the form of salsa dancing varies in Nicaragua. New York style and Cuban Salsa (Salsa Casino) elements have gained popularity across the country. | |||
| ] has also gained popularity in Nicaragua. Combinations of styles from the ] and the ] can be found throughout the country. The nature of the dance in Nicaragua varies depending on the region. Rural areas tend to have a stronger focus on movement of the hips and turns. Urbanized cities, on the other hand, focus primarily on more sophisticated footwork in addition to movement and turns. A considerable amount of Bachata dancing influence comes from Nicaraguans living abroad in cities that include ], ] and to a much lesser extent, ]. | |||
| ] has also surfaced recently in cultural cities and ballroom dance occasions. | |||
| ===Literature=== | |||
| {{Main|Literature of Nicaragua}} | |||
| ] can be traced to ] times with the myths and ] that formed the cosmogonic view of the world that indigenous people had. Some of these stories are still known in Nicaragua. Like many ]n countries, the Spanish conquerors have had the most effect on both the culture and the literature. Nicaraguan literature has historically been an important source of ] in the Spanish-speaking world, with internationally renowned contributors such as ] who is regarded as the most important literary figure in Nicaragua, referred to as the ''"Father of Modernism"'' for leading the ] literary movement at the end of the 19th century.<ref name = "NI"/> Other literary figures include ], ], ], ], ] and ], among others. | |||
| ] is a ] ] and was the first literary work of post-Columbian Nicaragua. It is regarded as one of Latin America's most distinctive colonial-era expressions and as Nicaragua's signature folkloric masterpiece combining music, dance and theater.<ref name='NI'>{{cite news|title=Showcasing Nicaragua's Folkloric Masterpiece - El Gueguense - and Other Performing and Visual Arts|url =http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-150984344.html|work =Encyclopedia.com|accessdate = 2007-08-03}}</ref> The ] ] was written by an anonymous author in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest indigenous theatrical/dance works of the ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Native Theatre: El Gueguense|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|url =http://www.nmai.si.edu/calendar/index.asp?month=10&year=2006&day=22|accessdate = 2007-08-03}}</ref> The story was published in a book in 1942 after many centuries.<ref>{{cite news|title=El Güegüense o Macho Ratón|url =http://www.vianica.com/go/specials/21-el-gueguense-macho-raton.html|work =ViaNica|accessdate = 2007-08-03}}</ref> | |||
| ===Language=== | |||
| {{Main|Languages of Nicaragua|Central American Spanish|Nicaraguan Spanish|Voseo}} | |||
| ] in English (top), Spanish (middle) and Miskito (bottom).]] | |||
| ] of the 1980s. Although other countries like ], ] and ] also are represented by dark blue on the map, ] Spanish is spoken in these regions. It varies in pronunciation compared to the Central American dialect.]] ] is spoken by about 90% of the country's population. In Nicaragua, the ] form of Spanish is dominant in both speech and publications. The same Spanish form is also seen in the ] region of ]. The language and pronunciation varies depending on region. | |||
| ] has many indigenous influences and several distinguishing characteristics. Until the nineteenth century a hybrid form of Nahuat-Spanish was the common language of Nicaragua. Today ], ], and ] words and syntax can be found in everyday speech.<ref name="everyculture.com"></ref> The Nicaraguan accent dates back to the sixteenth century in ], and the relative isolation of Nicaragua meant that the accent did not change in the same ways that the Andalusian accent has. For example, some Nicaraguans have a tendency to replace the ''s'' sound with an ''h'' sound when speaking.<ref name="everyculture.com"/> Other Nicaraguans pronounce the word ''vos'' with a strong ''s'' sound at the end. In the central part of the country, regions like ] pronounce ''vos'' without the ''s'' sound at the end. The result is ''vo'', similar to ''vous'' in ] and ''voi'' in ]. Nicaraguans, unlike most Spanish speaking groups, cannot be categorized uniformly in terms of accent and word usage. Although Spanish is spoken throughout the country, the country faces a phenomenon similar to the Italian dialects of ]: vocabulary can vary between towns and departments.<ref>{{cite web|author=“” |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLCnGxUR8K4 |title=Aqui Nicaragua Documentary, Program by Carlos Fernando Chamorro. Programa Inaugural de Aqui Nicaragua, Idiosincracia Nicaragüense (In Spanish) |publisher=Youtube.com |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| Nicaragua, unintentionally, has played a significant role in Central America by establishing the ''voseo'' dialect in the region. This is often seen as the result of the ], in which roughly 1,000,000 Nicaraguans currently live abroad. The disapora itself was fueled by the civil war of the 1980s. As the first nation to formally adopt the voseo dialect, its influence has spread to other Central American countries as well as cities in the ]. Cities such as ], ] and ] have been areas where Central American ''voseo'' has become an established dialect. | |||
| In the Caribbean coast, many Afro-Nicaraguans and creoles speak English and ] as their first language , but as second language they speak a very fluent Spanish. The language in the North and South Atlantic Regions are influenced by ], ], ], ] and ] roots. In addition, inhabitants of the Caribbean coast, many of the indigenous people speak their native languages, such as the ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Languages of Nicaragua|url =http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=NI|work =Ethnologue|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> In addition, many ]s in Nicaragua have maintained their ancestral languages, while also speaking Spanish or English; these include Chinese, ], German, and Italian. | |||
| Spanish is taught as the principal language. English is taught to students during their high school years and tends to be the national second language. Other languages, particularly ], can also be found sporadically. | |||
| Nicaragua was home to 3 ]s, one of which was never classified. ] is also of particular interest to ] as the world's youngest language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiana.edu/~langacq/E105/Nicaragua.html |title=Nicaragua |publisher=Indiana.edu |date=1999-10-24 |accessdate=2010-06-26}}</ref> | |||
| {{Clear}} | |||
| ===Religion=== | |||
| {{Main|Religion in Nicaragua}} | |||
| {| class="toc" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" style="width:200px; float:right; margin:0.5em 0.5em 0.5em 1em; padding:0.5e text-align:left; clear:all; margin-left:3px; font-size:90%;" | |||
| |- | |||
| | colspan="2" style="text-align:center; background:#black; color:white; background-color:black;"| Religious Affiliation in Nicaragua | |||
| |- | |||
| {{#if:File:IglesiaManagua.png|<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align:center;">] | |||
| {{#if:The Cathedral in Managua|</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align:center">''The ] in ]''|}} | |||
| </td></tr>}} | |||
| |- | |||
| ! style="background:#efefef; text-align:center;"| Religion | |||
| ! style="background:#efefef; text-align:center;"| Percentage | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |align=right|58.5% | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |align=right|21.6% | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |align=right|1.6% | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |align=right|0.9% | |||
| |- | |||
| |] | |||
| |align=right|15.7% | |||
| |- | |||
| |Other<sup>1</sup> | |||
| |align=right|1.6% | |||
| |- | |||
| | colspan="2" style="background:#efefef; text-align:left;"|<sup>'''1'''</sup> <small>Includes ], ], and ] among other religions.</small> | |||
| |- | |||
| | colspan="2" style="background:#e9e9e9; text-align:center;"|Source: 2005 Nicaraguan Census<ref>{{cite news|title=2005 Nicaraguan Census|url =http://www.inec.gob.ni/censos2005/ResumenCensal/Resumen2.pdf |format=PDF| work =National Institute of Statistics and Census of Nicaragua (INEC)|pages =42–43|accessdate = 2007-10-30|language = Spanish}}</ref> | |||
| |}Religion is a significant part of the culture of Nicaragua and is referred to in the ]. Religious freedom, which has been guaranteed since 1939 and religious tolerance are promoted by both the Nicaraguan government and the constitution. | |||
| Nicaragua has no official religion. However, Catholic ]s are expected to lend their authority to important state occasions, and their pronouncements on national issues are closely followed. They can also be called upon to mediate between contending parties at moments of political crisis.<ref name="LOCR">{{cite news|first=Gilbert|last=Dennis|title=Nicaragua: Religion|publisher=Library of Congress|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0040)|work =Country Studies|accessdate = 2007-10-30}}</ref> | |||
| The largest denomination, and traditionally the religion of the majority, is ]. However, the numbers of practicing Roman Catholics have been declining, while members of ] ] groups and ] have been rapidly growing in numbers since the 1990s. There are also strong ] and ] communities on the Caribbean coast. | |||
| Roman Catholicism came to Nicaragua in the sixteenth century with the Spanish conquest and remained, until 1939, the established faith. ] and other ]s came to Nicaragua during the nineteenth century, but only gained large followings in the Caribbean Coast during the twentieth century. | |||
| Popular religion revolves around the saints, who are perceived as intercessors (but not mediators) between human beings and God. Most localities, from the capital of ] to small rural communities, honor ]s, selected from the Roman Catholic calendar, with annual ''fiestas''. In many communities, a rich lore has grown up around the celebrations of patron saints, such as Managua's Saint Dominic (Santo Domingo), honored in August with two colorful, often riotous, day-long processions through the city. The high point of Nicaragua's religious calendar for the masses is neither ] nor ], but La Purísima, a week of festivities in early December dedicated to the ], during which elaborate altars to the ] are constructed in homes and workplaces.<ref name="LOCR"/> | |||
| ] has grown slightly in recent years. The country's close political ties have also encouraged religious ties as well. The city of ] has the country's only ] prayer house. | |||
| ===Cuisine=== | |||
| {{Main|Cuisine of Nicaragua}} | |||
| The Cuisine of Nicaragua is a mixture of criollo food and dishes of pre-Columbian origin. The ] found that the ] had incorporated local foods available in the area into their ].<ref name="NICA">{{cite web|title = Try the culinary delights of Nicaragua cuisine| publisher = Nicaragua.com |url=http://www.nicaragua.com/cuisine/| accessdate = 2006-05-08}}</ref> Traditional cuisine changes from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast; while the Pacific coast's main staple revolves around local fruits and corn, the Caribbean coast cuisine makes use of ] and the ]. | |||
| As in many other ]n countries, ] is a main staple. Corn is used in many of the widely consumed dishes, such as the ], and ]. Corn is also an ingredient for drinks such as ] and ] as well as sweets and desserts. In addition to corn, rice and beans are eaten very often. | |||
| ], Nicaragua's ], is made with white rice and red beans that are cooked separately and then fried together. The dish has several variations including the addition of ] and/or grated ] on the ] coast. Most Nicaraguans begin their day with Gallopinto. Gallopinto is most usually served with carne asada, a salad, fried cheese, platains or maduros. | |||
| Many of Nicaragua's dishes include indigenous fruits and vegetables such as ], ], ], ]o, pipian, ], ], ], and herbs such as ], ] and ].<ref name="NICA"/> | |||
| Nicaraguans also have been known to eat guinea pigs and tapirs, iguanas, turtle eggs, armadillos and boas but as all these creatures are threatened with extinction, efforts are being made to curb this tendency.<ref>{{dead link|date=June 2010}}</ref> | |||
| ===Sports=== | |||
| ] of the ], a ] team.]] | |||
| ] is the most popular sport played in Nicaragua. Although some professional Nicaraguan baseball teams have folded in the recent past, Nicaragua enjoys a strong tradition of American-style Baseball. Baseball was introduced to Nicaragua at different years during the 19th century. In the Caribbean coast locals from ] were taught how to play baseball in 1888 by Albert Addlesberg, a retailer from the United States.<ref name="BB">{{cite news|first=Beto|last=Villa|title=LA HISTORIA DEL BÉISBOL EN LATINOAMERICA: Nicaragua|url =http://latinobaseball.com/cwb-history.php|work =Latino Baseball|accessdate = 2007-07-29|language = Spanish}}</ref> Baseball did not catch on in the Pacific coast until 1891 when a group of mostly students originating from universities of the United States formed "La Sociedad de Recreo" (Society of Recreation) where they played various sports, baseball being the most popular among them.<ref name="BB"/> There are five teams that compete amongst themselves: Indios del Boer (Managua), Chinandega, Tiburones (Sharks) of Granada, Leon and Masaya. Players from these teams comprise the National team when Nicaragua competes internationally. The country has had its share of ] players (including current ] pitcher ] and ] pitcher ]), but the most notable is ], who was the first baseball player from Nicaragua to play in ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Gary|last=Washburn|title='El Presidente' happy in new job|url =http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050220&content_id=946722&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal|work =Major League Baseball|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> He became the first Latin-born pitcher to throw a ], and the 13th in major league history, when he played with the Montreal Expos against the ] at Dodger Stadium in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baseball's Perfect Games: Dennis Martinez, Montreal Expos |. Also, Everth Cabrera who MLB debut was in 2009 season with San Diego Padres publisher= The BASEBALL Page.com|url =http://www.thebaseballpage.com/stats/lists_feats/perfect_games.htm|accessdate = 2007-08-21}}</ref> | |||
| ] is the second most popular sport in Nicaragua.<ref>{{cite news|title=Salon de la Fama: Deportes en Nicaragua|url =http://www.manfut.org/museos/deportes1.html|accessdate = 2007-07-30|language = Spanish}}</ref> The country has had world champions such as ] and ] among others. Recently, ] has gained popularity, especially with the younger population. The ] has served as a venue for both baseball and soccer but the first ever national soccer stadium in ] is currently under construction.<ref>{{cite news|title=Like clockwork in Nicaragua|publisher=FIFA|url =http://www.fifa.com/en/development/goal/index/0,1223,104011,00.html?articleid=104011|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref>{{Clear}} | |||
| ==Education== | |||
| {{Main|Education in Nicaragua}}{{See also|Universities in Nicaragua|List of Schools in Nicaragua}} | |||
| ] Propaganda Poster]] | |||
| Nicaragua's first public primary school opened in 1837. By the late 1860s public grade schools existed in most of the larger cities. In 1877, Nicaraguan authorities accepted the principle that such schools should be nationally funded, and that attendance should be free and compulsory. In 1881 education was formally removed from religious control and turned over to government, but church-run schools continued to operate alongside the public system. Subsequently shortages of facilities and teachers, especially in rural areas, hampered educational development. The Sandinista government sharply increased spending on education and reduced illiteracy significantly, but shortages of facilities and personnel remained a problem. The Sandinistas also added a leftist ideological content to the curriculum, which was removed after 1990.<ref name="grolier2">"Nicaragua." Encyclopedia Americana. 2009. Grolier Online. 16 Nov. 2009 <http://ea.grolier.com/article?id=0286870-00>.</ref> | |||
| Higher education dates from 1818 when the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) was founded in León. A major reform, begun in 1980, reorganized the country's postsecondary system into two universities: the UNAN, with campuses in León and Managua, and the Central American University in Managua. It also restructured the curriculum, giving more emphasis to science and technology, and less to law and commerce. Nicaragua also has several more specialized institutions, with a focus on education that will promote economic development.<ref name="grolier2"/> | |||
| Education is paid via taxes for all Nicaraguans.<ref>{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Liu|title=Nicaragua's new gov't to enforce free education|date=2006-12-06|url =http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/06/content_5442752.htm|work =CHINA VIEW|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Elementary education is free and compulsory, however, many children in rural areas are unable to attend due to lack of schools and other reasons. Communities located on the Caribbean coast have access to education in their native languages. | |||
| The majority of higher education institutions are located in ], higher education has financial, organic and administrative autonomy, according to the law. Also, freedom of subjects is recognized.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nicaragua Education|url =http://www.nicaragua.com/culture/education/|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> Nicaragua's higher education system consists of 48 ], and 113 ]s and technical institutes in the areas of ], ] and ], ], ] and ]-related services.<ref>{{cite news|title=Human Capital: Educationand Training|url =http://www.pronicaragua.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=87|work =ProNicaragua|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> The educational system includes 1 ] English-language university, 3 ], 5 Bilingual secondary schools and dozens of ]s. In 2005, almost 400,000 (7%) of Nicaraguans held a ].<ref name="FTD">{{cite news|title=Central American Countries of the Future 2005/2006|date=2005-08-01|url =http://www.pronicaragua.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=87|accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> 18% of Nicaragua's total budget is invested in primary, secondary and higher education. University level institutions account for 6% of 18%. | |||
| As of 1979, the educational system was one of the poorest in ].<ref name="NE">{{cite news|first=Dennis|last=Gilbert|title=Nicaragua: Education|publisher=Library of Congress|url =http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+ni0036)|work =Country Studies|accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> Under the Somoza dictatorships, limited spending on education and generalized poverty, which forced many adolescents into the labor market, constricted educational opportunities for Nicaraguans. One of the first acts of the newly elected Sandinista government in 1980 was an extensive and successful literacy campaign, using secondary school students, university students and teachers as volunteer teachers: it reduced the overall ] rate from 50.3% to 12.9% within only five months.<ref name="NLC">{{cite news|first=Ulrike|last=Hanemann|title=Nicaragua's Literacy Campaign|url =http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/file_download.php/67b39f3aaf8f20da06be3c6a4e4c6dfeHanemann_U.doc|work =UNESCO|accessdate = 2007-07-02}}</ref> This was one of a number of large scale programs which received international recognition for their gains in ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite news|title=Historical Background of Nicaragua|publisher=Stanford University|url =http://www.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/history/background.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Nicaragua Pre-election Delegation Report| publisher=Global Exchange|url =http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/NicaraguaReportOct2001.html|accessdate = 2007-05-09}}</ref> In September 1980, ] awarded Nicaragua the "]" award for the literacy campaign. This was followed by the literacy campaigns of 1982, 1986, 1987, 1995 and 2000, all of which were also awarded by UNESCO.<ref>{{cite news|first=Juan|last=B. Arrien|title=Literacy in Nicaragua|publisher=UNESCO|url =http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001459/145937e.pdf |format=PDF| accessdate = 2007-08-01}}</ref> | |||
| ==Communications and Media== | |||
| For most Nicaraguans radio and TV are the main sources of news. There are more than 100 radio stations, many of them in the capital, and several TV networks. Cable TV is available in most urban areas.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1225218.stm#leaders|work=BBC News|title=Country profile: Nicaragua|date=2009-09-02|accessdate=2010-05-20}}</ref> | |||
| The print media are varied and partisan, representing pro and anti-government positions. | |||
| ===Print=== | |||
| La Prensa; El Nuevo Diario; Confidencial Varies | |||
| ===Television=== | |||
| Nicavision Canal 12; Canal 10; Telenica Canal 8; Canal 4; Televicentro Canal 2 | |||
| ===Radio=== | |||
| Radio Corporacion; Radio Mundial; Radio Nicaragua (Government-owned); Radio Sandino; Radio Pirata | |||
| ==International rankings== | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Organization | |||
| ! Survey | |||
| ! Ranking | |||
| |- | |||
| | Institute for Economics and Peace | |||
| | ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofhumanity.org/gpi/home.php |title=Vision of Humanity |publisher=Vision of Humanity |accessdate=2010-02-04}}</ref> | |||
| | 61 out of 144 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | 124 out of 182 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | 130 out of 180 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| | 115 out of 133 | |||
| |} | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{Portal|Nicaragua}} | |||
| {{Main|Outline of Nicaragua}} | |||
| *]<!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to Nicaragua in the ] --> | |||
| {{Nicaragua topics|state=uncollasped}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| *{{StateDept}} | |||
| ===Notes=== | |||
| {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| {{Refbegin|4}} | |||
| *Asleson, Vern. (2004) ''Nicaragua: Those Passed By''. Galde Press ISBN 1-931942-16-1 | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Babb|first=Florence E. |title=After revolution: mapping gender and cultural politics in neoliberal Nicaragua |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |year=2001 |isbn=0-292-70900-5}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Bayard de Volo| first=Lorraine |title=Mothers of heroes and martyrs: gender identity politics in Nicaragua, 1979-1999 |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |location=Baltimore |year=2001 |isbn=0-8018-6764-9}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Belli|first=Gioconda |authorlink=Gioconda Belli|title=The Country Under My Skin : A Memoir of Love and War |publisher=Anchor |location=Garden City, N.Y |isbn=1-4000-3216-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Bermann |first=Karl |title=Under the big stick: Nicaragua and the United States since 1848 |publisher=South End Press |location=Boston |year=1986 |isbn=0-89608-323-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Bermúdez|first=Enrique|authorlink=Enrique Bermúdez|title=The Contras' Valley Forge: How I View the Nicaraguan Crisis|date=Summer 1988|publisher=The Heritage Foundation|work =Policy Review magazine}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Borge|first=Tomás|title=The patient impatience: from boyhood to guerilla: a personal narrative of Nicaragua's struggle for liberation |publisher=Curbstone Press |location=Willimantic, CT |year=1992 |isbn=0-915306-97-2}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Brown|first= Timothy X. |title=The real Contra War: highlander peasant resistance in Nicaragua |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman |year=2001 |isbn=0-8061-3252-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Brunnegger|first=Sandra |title=From Conflict to Autonomy in Nicaragua: Lessons Learnt |publisher=Minority Rights Group International |location=London |year=2007 |isbn=1904584616}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Bugajski |first=Janusz |title=Sandinista communism and rural Nicaragua |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=1990 |isbn=0-275-93536-1}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Charlip|first=Julie A. |title=Cultivating Coffee: The Farmers of Carazo, Nicaragua, 1880-1930 (Ohio RIS Latin America Series) |publisher=Ohio University Press |location=Athens, Ohio |isbn=0-89680-227-2}} | |||
| *{{cite book |author=]; Herman, Edward S. |title=Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media |publisher=Pantheon Books |location=New York |year=2002 |isbn=0-375-71449-9}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Christian| first=Shirley |title=Nicaragua, revolution in the family |publisher=Vintage Books |location=New York |year=1986 |isbn=0-394-74457-8}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Clark|first=George C. |title=With the Old Corps in Nicaragua |publisher=Presidio Press |location=Novato, CA |year=2001 |isbn=0-89141-737-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Colburn|first= Forrest D. |title=My car in Managua |publisher=University of Texas Press |location=Austin |year=1991 |isbn=0-292-75124-9}} | |||
| *{{cite book |author=Cox, Jack; ]; Earle, Peter |title=] |publisher=Western Islands |location=Boston |year=1980 |isbn=0-88279-235-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Field |first=Les W. |title=The grimace of Macho Ratón: artisans, identity, and nation in late-twentieth century western Nicaragua |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, N.C |year=1999 |isbn=0-8223-2288-9}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Gilbert| first=Dennis L. |title=Sandinistas: The Party And The Revolution |publisher=Blackwell Publishers |location=Cambridge, MA |isbn=1-55786-006-8}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Gobat|first=Michel |title=Confronting the American Dream: Nicaragua under U.S. Imperial Rule (American Encounters/Global Interactions) |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, N.C |isbn=0-8223-3634-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Gordon|first=Edmund W. |title=Disparate diasporas: identity and politics in an African Nicaraguan community |publisher=University of Texas Press, Austin, Institute of Latin American Studies |location=Austin, Tex |year=1998 |isbn=0-292-72819-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Gould|first=Jeffrey L. |title=To die in this way: Nicaraguan Indians and the myth of mestizaje, 1880-1965 |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, N.C |year=1998 |isbn=0-8223-2098-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Hale |first=Charles R. |title=Resistance and Contradiction: Miskitu Indians and the Nicaraguan State, 1894-1987 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, Calif |isbn=0-8047-2800-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Heyck| first=Denis Lynn Daly |title=Life stories of the Nicaraguan revolution |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |year=1990 |isbn=0-415-90211-8}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Horton |first=Lynn |title=Peasants In Arms: War & Peace in the Mountains of Nicaragua, 1979-1994 (Ohio RIS Latin America Series) |publisher=Ohio University Press |location=Athens, Ohio |isbn=0-89680-204-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Kagan |first=Robert A. |title=A twilight struggle: American power and Nicaragua, 1977-1990 |publisher=Free Press |location=New York |year=1996 |isbn=0-02-874057-2}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Kinzer|first=Stephen |authorlink=Stephen Kinzer|title=] |publisher=Putnam |location=New York |year=1991 |isbn=0-399-13594-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Kinzer |first=Stephen |title=Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq |publisher=Times Books |location=New York |isbn=0-8050-7861-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Kruckewitt |first=Joan |title=The Death of ]: The Story of a North American in Sandinista Nicaragua |publisher=Seven Stories Press |location=New York |isbn=1-58322-068-2}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Lancaster |first=Roger N. |title=Life is hard: machismo, danger, and the intimacy of power in Nicaragua |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |year=1992 |isbn=0-520-08929-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Macaulay |first=Neill |title=The Sandino Affair |publisher=Wacahoota Pr |isbn=0-9653864-4-9}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Morley| first=Morris H. |title=Washington, Somoza and the Sandinistas: State and Regime in US Policy toward Nicaragua 1969-1981 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |isbn=0-521-52335-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Pardo-Maurer|first=R |title=The Contras, 1980-1989: a special kind of politics |publisher=Praeger |location=New York |year=1990 |isbn=0-275-93818-2}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Plunkett |first=Hazel|title=In Focus Nicaragua a Guide to the People, Politics and Culture (In Focus Guides) |publisher=Interlink Publishing Group |isbn=1-56656-438-7}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Randall |first=Margaret |title=Sandino's daughters: testimonies of Nicaraguan women in struggle |publisher=Rutgers University Press |location=New Brunswick, N.J |year=1995 |isbn=0-8135-2214-5}} | |||
| *{{cite book |author=Ratliff, William E.; Miranda, Roger |title=Civil War in Nicaragua: Inside the Sandinistas |publisher=Transaction Publishers |location=New Brunswick, N.J., U.S.A |isbn=1-56000-761-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Rushdie|first=Salman |title=The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey |publisher=Owl Books |location=Clearwater, Fla |isbn=0-8050-5311-5}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Sabia |first=Debra |title=Contradiction and conflict: the popular church in Nicaragua |publisher=University of Alabama Press |location=University |year=1997 |isbn=0-8173-0873-3}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Sirias|first= Silvio |title=Bernardo and the Virgin: A Novel |publisher=Northwestern University Press |location=Evanston, Ill |isbn=0-8101-2427-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Sklar |first=Holly |title=Washington's war on Nicaragua |publisher=South End Press |location=Boston |year=1988 |isbn=0-89608-295-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |author=Taber, Michael; Bishop, Maurice; Marcus, Bruce |title=Maurice Bishop speaks: the Grenada Revolution, 1979-83 |publisher=Pathfinder Press |location=New York |year=1983 |isbn=0-87348-619-6}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Walker |first=Thomas G. |title=Nicaragua, 4th Edition |publisher=Westview Press |location=Boulder, Colo |isbn=0-8133-3882-4}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Walker|first= William J. |title=The war in Nicaragua |publisher=University of Arizona Press |location=Tucson |year=1985 |isbn=0-8165-0882-8}} | |||
| *{{cite book |authorlink=Gary Webb|last=Webb|first=Gary |title=Dark Alliance : The CIA, the Contras, and the Crack Cocaine Explosion |publisher=Seven Stories Press |location=New York |isbn=1-888363-68-1}} | |||
| *{{cite book |last=Zimmermann |first=Matilde |title=Sandinista: Carlos Fonseca and the Nicaraguan revolution |publisher=Duke University Press |location=Durham, N.C |year=2000 |isbn=0-8223-2595-0}} | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * Visit Nicaragua | |||
| ; Government | |||
| * | |||
| ; General information | |||
| *{{CIA_World_Factbook_link|nu|Nicaragua}} | |||
| * at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' | |||
| *{{dmoz|Regional/Central_America/Nicaragua}} | |||
| *{{Wikiatlas|Nicaragua}} | |||
| * from WorldAtlas.com | |||
| *: Official information of the Honorary Consulate of Nicaragua | |||
| ; | |||
| ; Volunteer | |||
| * A US based non-profit Organization partnered with the Los Quinchos orphanage in San Marcos and Granada. | |||
| * A quaker organization dedicated to empowering the people of Nicaragua. Student groups volunteer annually. | |||
| ;Other | |||
| *{{Wikitravel|Nicaragua}} | |||
| {{Coord|13|-85|type:country|display=title}} | |||
| {{Template group | |||
| |title = <!-- ] --> Geographic locale | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Departments of Nicaragua}} | |||
| {{Countries of Central America}} | |||
| {{Countries of North America}} | |||
| }} | |||
| {{Template group | |||
| |title = International membership | |||
| |list = | |||
| {{Organization of American States}} | |||
| {{WTO}} | |||
| {{Latin Union}} | |||
| }} | |||
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Revision as of 21:28, 23 August 2010
Eldy's family. Enough Said. Re occuring back in the olden days, They were a largly populated family. But now it' just eldy's mexican dad singing at church