Located midway across Central America, Nicaragua, with 50,464 square miles
(130,700 square kilometers), is the largest in area but one of the most sparsely populated nations
of the region. Roughly triangular in shape with approximately 310 miles (500 kilometers) to a
side, it is bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea. To the north lies a mountainous frontier
with Honduras. The southern limit of Nicaragua faces the small bordering nation of Costa Rica.
The west side faces the Pacific Ocean.
Official Name. Republic of Nicaragua.
Capital. Managua.
Area. 50,464 square miles (130,700 square kilometers).
Population (1990 estimate). 3,870,700; 76.7 persons per square mile (29.6 persons per
square kilometer); 59.2 percent urban, 40.8 percent rural.
Major Language. Spanish (official).
Major Religion. Roman Catholicism.
Literacy. 88 percent.
Highest Peak. Pico Mocoton.
Largest Lake. Nicaragua.
Form of Government. Republic.
Chief of State and Head of Government. President.
Legislature. National Assembly.
Voting Qualification. Age 16.
Political Divisions. 6 regions and 3 special zones.
Major Cities (1985 estimate). Managua (682,100), Leon (101,000), Granada (88,600),
Masaya (74,900), Chinandega (67,800).
Chief Manufactured and Mined Products. Foods and beverages, metal products, textiles and
clothing, chemicals, gold, silver.
Chief Agricultural Products. Crops sugarcane, corn, sorghum, bananas, rice. Livestock
poultry, cattle, pigs.
Monetary Unit. 1 Nicaraguan cordoba = 100 centavos.