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 1 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.
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.
ordered by Costa Rica on the South and Honduras on the North, Nicaragua is the largest Central American republic. The vast Pacific Ocean forms her western border, the balmy Caribbean Sea the east. It is a warm and friendly land of lakes and mountains; rivers and volcanoes, sea and sun.
Nicaragua has three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific Lowlands, the North-Central Mountains and the Atlantic Lowlands.
Nicaraguan culture has several distinct strands. The west of the country was colonized by Spain and has a similar culture to other Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. The people of western Nicaragua are mostly mestizos, and Spanish is invariably their first language. The poet Rubén Darío, one of the most famous writers in Spanish language, was from Nicaragua.
The eastern half of the country, on the other hand, was once a British protectorate. English is still the first language of most people in this region, and its culture is more similar to Caribbean nations. There is a large population of people of African descent, 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.
Things you should know when travelling to Nicaragua
You are advised against all travel to Bonanza, La Rosita and Siuna (the Mining Triangle), in northeastern Nicaragua due to continued Nicaraguan military operations against armed groups. You are also advised against all travel to remote areas of the Atlantic coast; robberies and kidnappings are common, and these areas often become isolated because of bad road conditions.
Violent crime in Managua and other cities occurs. Street crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching is common. An increase in street crime is often noted during the month of December. Remain alert when walking in markets (e.g. Mercado Oriental), in the vicinity of the old cathedral in Managua, near Tica Bus (bus terminal of buses coming from Honduras and Costa Rica), at public transportation terminals, and in poorer areas. Exercise common sense at all times. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Visitors should carry a photocopy of the identification page of their passport and entry stamp (received upon arrival) with them, and keep the original in a secure place. Do not carry large sums of money, especially while travelling on buses. Purse, backpack, and jewellery snatching occurs while vehicles are stopped at intersections and while pedestrians are walking on the street.
Demonstrations, protests, marches, and strikes, some violent, may occur at any time in the capital, throughout the country and on main highways. Local transportation services can be disrupted. Roadblocks may occur on main roads at any time and often cause traffic disruptions. Canadians should not attempt to cross blockades, even if they appear unattended.
Because of the unpredictable nature of these demonstrations and the potential for violence, Canadians in or travelling to Nicaragua should exercise caution, avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, and monitor local news reports.
Travel to Honduras should be undertaken only on highways with border crossings at Guasaule, El Espino, and Las Manos due to criminal activity in parts of northern Nicaragua.
