Nicaragua
Managua
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Nicaragua is the largest country in
Central America. However, although it is indeed
the largest nation in the region, it is also the
least densely populated as it is estimated that
approximately 2 million people were in exile as
of early 1980's of which a great many are now
returning. It is bordered on the north by
Honduras and on south by Costa Rica. Its western
coastline is on the Pacific Ocean, while the
east side of the country is on the Caribbean
Sea. The country's name is a portmanteau of
Nicarao, employed by the Spanish colonialists
for the Nahuatl-speaking indigenous tribe, and
the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, named
after one of the largest fresh water lakes in
the world Lago Nicaragua and the indigenous
leader Nicarao.
History
Main articles: History of Nicaragua,
Colonized by Spain in 1524, Nicaragua achieved
independence in 1821 when it was a province of
the Audience of Guatemala and became part of the
United Provinces of Central America. It
separated from the federation in 1838, becoming
a completely sovereign republic.
The nation's early history was marked by the
desire of U.S. commercial interests to make use
of Nicaraguan territory. When gold was
discovered in California, Cornelius Vanderbilt's
Accessory Transit Company undertook a steamship
and carriage business to link Greytown
(present-day San Juan del Norte), at the mouth
of the San Juan River (linking the Lago
Nicaragua with the Gulf of Mexico), to the
Pacific. Nicaragua's strategic position has ever
since been of interest to the United States.
Nicaragua offered token assistance during World
War 2, and was the first country in the world to
ratify the UN Charter.
Culture
Main articles: Culture of Nicaragua,
The "Nicas" are friendly and obliging people,
with a matriarchal society. The population is
very young with 60 percent under 17 years of
age. As a whole the country is rich in colorful
folklore, music and religious traditions. A
fusion of Old World and New World emerged as the
national psyche creating a society largely
founded on European-Iberian culture but enriched
with Amerindian sounds and flavours. Nicaragua
has historically been a literary treasure in
poetry of the Hispanic world with
internationally renowned contributors such as
Ruben Darío who is widely acclaimed as the
Father of Modernism and Prince of Spanish
Literature.
Through education Nicaragua's Government
promotes the formation of nationals, giving them
a decisive, scientific and humanist conscience.
Education is free and the same for all
Nicaraguans. Elementary education is free and
compulsory. Communities localted on the Atlantic
Coast have access to education in their native
language. Higher education has financial,
organic and administrative autonomy, according
to the law. Also, freedom of subjects is
recognized.
Nicaraguan culture can further be defined in
several distinct strands. The west of the
country was colonized by Spain and its people
are mostly Mestizos and European in composition;
Spanish is invariably their first language.
Nicaragua beaches The eastern half of the
country, on the other hand, was once a British
protectorate. English is still predominant in
this region and spoken domestically a par with
Spanish which is formally taught in schools, its
culture is somewhat similar to Caribbean
nations, although recent immigration by Mestizos
has largely influenced younger generations and
an increasing number of people are either
bilingual at home or speak Spanish only. There
is a large population of people of mixed African
stock, as well as a smaller Garifuna population.
Of the cultures that were present before
European colonization, the Nahuatl-speaking
peoples who populated the west of the country
have essentially been assimilated into the
latino culture. In the east, however, several
indigenous groups have maintained a distinct
identity. The Sumos and Ramas people still use
their original languages.
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Background:
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In
the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70),
Nicaragua lost two-thirds of all adult males and much
of its territory. It stagnated economically for the
next half century. In the Chaco War of 1932-35,
large, economically important areas were won from
Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of
Alfredo STROESSNER was overthrown in 1989, and,
despite a marked increase in political infighting in
recent years, relatively free and regular
presidential elections have been held since then.
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Location:
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Central South America, northeast of Argentina |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than California |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia
750 km, Brazil 1,290 km |
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Ethnic groups:
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mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95% |
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Religions:
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Roman
Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant |
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Languages:
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Spanish (official), Guarani (official) |
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Currency:
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guarani (PYG)
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Currency code:
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PYG
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Exchange rates:
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guarani per US dollar - 4,783.0 (January 2002),
4,107.7 (2001), 3,486.4 (2000), 3,119.1 (1999),
2,726.5 (1998), 2,177.9 (1997); note - since early
1998, the exchange rate has operated as a managed
float; prior to that, the exchange rate was
determined freely in the market |
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