Trifter

Introduction

Nicaragua has a population of 5.5 million people.  Spanish is the official language and, though there is no official religion, Catholic is the most dominant faith.  Pastel de Tres Leches is a popular dessert throughout Central America, but it originated in Nicaragua; translated, it means cake of three milks.

Country Information

· Geographic Facts

Here are three geographic facts about Nicaragua:

1. Nicaragua is located in Central America and bordered by Honduras, Costa Rica, The Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.

2. Nicaragua is positioned in both the northern and western hemispheres.

3. The total land area of Nicaragua is 46,430 square miles and its coast line spans 565 miles.

· 3 “Serious” Facts

Here are three serious facts about Nicaragua:

1. Nicaragua, along with some of the neighboring countries, declared their independence from Spain in 1821 to form The United Provinces of Central America.  In 1838, this federation dissolved and Nicaragua became an independent republic.

2. A little over 1/4th of Nicaragua’s population lives in the capital city Managua.

3. Nicaragua experienced its worst natural disaster in 1998, Hurricane Mitch, which killed over 10,000 people, damaged more than 40,000 homes and most of the roads and bridges were washed away.

· 3 “Fun” Facts

Here are three fun facts about Nicaragua:

1. Nicaragua is famous for its dance form called ‘Palo de Mayo’.  This dance is done during the Maypole Festival, where people dress in costumes, dance and play instruments as they parade down the streets.

2. Lake Nicaragua is the largest freshwater lake in Central America and it houses the world’s only freshwater sharks known as the Nicaraguan Shark.

3. Nicaragua was given its name because the ‘Nicarao’ tribe inhabited the shores where the Spanish settlers ported.  Due to the fact that there were so many lakes and lagoons present in the area, the Spanish settlers used the word agua, which is the Spanish word for water.

 A “Potpourri” Item

Here are some unusual facts about Nicaragua:

1.     Nicaragua’s Miskito Cays were once a popular pirate hideout.  The Miskito Cays were completely destroyed by hurricane Felix in September 2007.

2.     Nicaragua elected its first woman president in 1990, Violetta Chamorro.  After her husband’s assassination, for his articles about the government corruption in Nicaragua, in 1978, Violetta Chamorro became a publisher and continued fighting against government corruption and a brighter future for Nicaragua, through her literature.