Surrounding the lakes and extending northwest of them along the rift valley to the Golfo de Fonseca are fertile lowland plains highly enriched with volcanic ash from nearby volcanoes. Nicaragua is a country located in Central America to the south of Honduras and north of Costa Rica. Violeta Barrios de Chamorro won the election. A volcanic … Its economy is based mainly on agriculture and industry, with its top industrial products being food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, and wood. The Nicaragua Canal Project. Like many other countries in Central America, Nicaragua is known for its high levels of biodiversity and unique ecosystems. It is contained by Central America, South America, and the West Indies, and lends its name to the areas of land surrounding it. This time, Enrique Bolanos won the presidency and his campaign pledged to improve the economy, build jobs and end government corruption. Transportation and Geography; 2. Nicaragua is subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes. total: The country can be divided into roughly three physiographic regions, the Pacific lowlands, central highlands, and the Caribbean highlands. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. land: The Geography of Nicaragua. M. Maps of Nicaragua; Media in category "Geography of Nicaragua" The following 12 files are in this category, out of 12 total. This line is highest in the central portion near the cities of León and Managua. Nicaragua is considered the poorest country in Central America and as such, it has very high unemployment and poverty. To the east lies the Caribbean, and to the west the Pacific. Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. Nicaragua is a country in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras. This route was considered as a possible alternative to the Panama Canal at various times in the past. Rainfall varies greatly in Nicaragua. More directly west of the lake region is a narrow line of ash-covered hills and volcanoes that separate the lakes from the Pacific Ocean. In 1996, there was another election and the former mayor of Managua, Arnoldo Aleman, won the presidency. 2) The rank that you see is the CIA reported rank, which may have the following issues: The eastern slopes are among the wettest places in the world, being too wet for agriculture, and have an economy dominated by timber extraction. Despite these goals, however, subsequent Nicaraguan elections have been marred with corruption and in 2006 Daniel Ortega ​Saavdra, an FSLN candidate, was elected. The climate of Nicaragua is considered tropical in its lowlands with cool temperatures at its higher elevations. The valley of the Río San Juan forms a natural passageway close to sea level across the Nicaraguan isthmus from the Caribbean Sea to Lago de Nicaragua and the rift. Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles (44.4 km; 27.6 mi) The "hot land" is characteristic of the foothills and lowlands from sea level to about 750 meters (2,461 ft) of elevation. Nicaragua is a large country located in Central America between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. These lowlands are densely populated and well cultivated. Its terrain is mostly coastal plains that eventually rise up to interior mountains. Located on the southern shores of Lake Managua, the city's site had been an ancient Indian settlement of the Chorotega called Manahuec. Geography Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection (PCL) ... Nicaragua.com Nicaragua.com is owned and operated by Paley Media. The relatively dry western slopes of the central highlands, protected by the ridges of the highlands from the moist winds of the Caribbean, have drawn farmers from the Pacific region since colonial times. Fertile soils are found only along the natural levees and narrow floodplains of the numerous rivers, including the Escondido, the Río Grande de Matagalpa, the Prinzapolka, and the Coco, and along the many lesser streams that rise in the central highlands and cross the region en route to the complex of shallow bays, lagoons, and salt marshes of the Caribbean coast. Geography, Climate, and Biodiversity of Nicaragua, The Nicaraguan Revolution: History and Impact, A Brief History of the African Country of Liberia, M.A., Geography, California State University - East Bay, B.A., English and Geography, California State University - Sacramento. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Nicaragua Geography 2020 should be addressed to the CIA or the source cited on each page. In 1933, U.S. troops left Nicaragua and Nation Guard Commander Anastasio Somoza Garcia became president in 1936. It is the largest country by area in Central America and its capital and largest city is Managua. Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) Geography Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, bordering Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. 130,370 km2 The country's physical geography divides it into three major zones: the Pacific lowlands, the wetter, cooler central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. There's a reason why I'm wearing that purple hat....Check out http://www.GeographyNow.com ! 1.76% Nicaragua's capital, Managua, has warm temperatures year-round that hover around 88 degrees (31˚C). gale. The country's physical geography divides it into three major zones: the Pacific lowlands, the wetter, cooler central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. Given the country's position in Central America, many of the departments are coastal, including a string of them along the nation's western edge that includes Chinandega, León, Managua, and others. It currently faces deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. Nicaragua consists of three definite geographical regions: the Atlantic Lowlands, the North-Central … 119,254 km2 During the rainy season, Eastern Nicaragua is subject to heavy flooding along the upper and middle reaches of all major rivers. It has two coastlines; the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua: Departments - Map Quiz Game: Nicaragua is divided into fifteen departments and two autonomous regions. Pine and palm savannas predominate as far south as the Laguna de Perlas. This interesting location causes Nicaragua to have great biodiversity and also mountains, volcanoes, beaches, lakes and other features. Map of Nicaragua Area Total 129,494 km2 Land 120,254 km2 Water Mean annual precipitation for the rift valley and western slopes of the highlands ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 millimeters (39.4 to 59.1 in). other: In 1988, Hurricane Joan forced hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans to flee their homes and caused more than US$1 billion in damage, most of it along the Caribbean coast. These peaks lie just west of a large crustal fracture or structural rift that forms a long, narrow depression passing southeast across the isthmus from the Golfo de Fonseca to the Río San Juan. He attempted to keep strong ties with the U.S. and his two sons succeeded him in office. The triangular area known as the central highlands lies northeast and east of the Pacific lowlands. Pacific Volcanic Chain. 14.57% Most of the Pacific zone is tierra caliente, the "hot land" of tropical Spanish America at elevations under 610 metres (2,000 ft). The tierra templada, or the "temperate land," is characteristic of most of the central highlands, where elevations range between 750 and 1,600 meters (2,461 and 5,249 ft).The "cold land" at elevations above 1,600 meters (5,249 ft), is found only on and near the highest peaks of the central highlands. It is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, the Nuclear Test Ban, and the Ozone Layer Protection, and has signed but not ratified the Law of the Sea. Area: food , culture, eduacation, homes, and family ways of living. Facts on world and country flags, maps, geography, history, statistics, disasters current events, and international relations. Two big lakes, Nicaragua and Managua, are connected by the Tipitapa River. Nicaragua (officially the Republic of Nicaragua Spanish: República de Nicaragua [reˈpuβlika ðe nikaˈɾaɣwa] (listen)) is a country in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras. Nicaragua is located in the center of America, in an area that divides the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua’s economic freedom score is 57.2, making its economy the 115th freest in the 2020 Index. On the Pacific side of the country, there is a narrow coastal plain dotted with volcanoes. Temperature varies little with the seasons in Nicaragua and is largely a function of elevation. The capital city of Managua was virtually destroyed in 1931 and again in 1972. During Chamorro's time in office, Nicaragua moved toward creating a more democratic government, stabilizing the economy and improving human rights issues that had occurred during Ortega's time in office. The Pacific lowlands extend about 75 kilometers inland from the Pacific coast. water: Nicaragua was originally inhabited by Native American tribes. This page has some serious problems. Tropical rain forests are characteristic from the Laguna de Perlas to the Río San Juan, in the interior west of the savannas, and along rivers through the savannas. The actions of Ortega and his dictatorship ended friendly relations with the U.S. and in 1981, the U.S. suspended all foreign aid to Nicaragua. Nicaragua Political Geography; Managua. Nicaragua is located in Central America to the south of Honduras and to the north of Costa Rica. The western slopes of the central highlands and the Pacific lowlands receive considerably less annual rainfall, being protected from moisture-laden Caribbean trade winds by the peaks of the central highlands. Largest but most sparsely populated of the Central American nations, Nicaragua borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. daviddennisphotos.com/Moment/Getty Images. 99.7.143.169 05:20, 1 March 2010 (UTC)Bold textNicaragua was the very first country ever! Shortly thereafter, the FSLN formed a dictatorship under leader Daniel Ortega. River bank agricultural plots are often heavily damaged, and considerable numbers of savanna animals die during these floods. Please Help this Page. permanent crops: You asked for merch so we made it for you! Nicaragua is known for its biodiversity because rainforest covers 7,722 square miles (20,000 sq km) of the country's Caribbean lowlands. Infoplease is the world's largest free reference site. Following its independence, Nicaragua underwent frequent civil wars as rival political groups struggled for power. Nicaragua is bounded by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. If you are trying to find Nicaragua on a map, its geographical coordinates are 13°00′N 85°00′W. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html, Photos and information about the volcanoes in Nicaragua, Federal Republic of Central America (1823–1838), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geography_of_Nicaragua&oldid=991926246, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Library of Congress Country Studies, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the World Factbook, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 2 December 2020, at 15:35. Nicaragua. The soil is generally leached and infertile. Nicaragua - Nicaragua - Agriculture, forestry, and fishing: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing engage as much as one-third of the labour force and produce about one-fifth of the total national income. ), Total renewable water resources:' No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Nicaragua Geography 2020 information contained here. The local people call themselves Nicas, while outsiders call them Nicaraguans. In 1985, an embargo was also placed on trade between the two countries. From 1912 to 1933, the U.S. had troops in the country to prevent hostile actions toward Americans working on the canal there. Geography of Nicaragua History of Nicaragua. Nicaragua, as the largest Central American country, is even home to the largest body of freshwater in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua. Hundreds of shocks occur each year, some of which cause severe damage. It is at this precise location on the globe that you will find the amazing coastal plains, interior mountains, old volcanoes and the narrow pacific coastal plain that is known … From the southwest edge of Lago de Nicaragua, it is only nineteen kilometers to the Pacific Ocean. Those that do are steep, short, and flow intermittently. Before 1855, however, it was an obscure village. The Pacific lowlands extend about 75 km inland from the coast. Although periodic volcanic eruptions have caused agricultural damage from fumes and ash, earthquakes have been by far more destructive to life and property. It is slightly larger than New York State. Transportation and Spatial Structure Nicaragua is a Central American country covering a total area of 130,370 sq. Their objective for Nicaragua.com is to create a best of breed site that provides information about "all things Nicaragua". physical features of Nicaragua Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and lobster are also large industries in Nicaragua.​. The People of Nicaragua. https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/countries/nicaragua Managua. The rift is occupied in part by the largest freshwater lakes in Central America: Lago de Managua (56 kilometers long and 24 kilometers wide) and Lago de Nicaragua (about 160 kilometers long and 75 kilometers wide). The Nicaragua Canal Project. 1. At night temperatures drop to 21 to 24 °C (69.8 to 75.2 °F) most of the year. Nicaragua is mountainous in the west, with fertile valleys. The Republic of Nicaragua covers a total land area of 50,193 square miles and is the largest country in Central America. Because Western Nicaragua is located where two major tectonic plates collide, it is subject to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Economy of Nicaragua. Daytime averages in this region are 22 to 24 °C (71.6 to 75.2 °F), with nighttime lows below 15 °C (59 °F). Government of Nicaragua. Lago de Nicaragua in turn drains into the Río San Juan (the boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica), which flows through the southern part of the rift lowlands to the Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments and two autonomous regions for local administration. In addition, heavy rains (called papagayo storms) accompanying the passage of a cold front or a low-pressure area may sweep from the north through both eastern and western Nicaragua (particularly the rift valley) from November through March. Today Nicaragua's government is considered a republic. This quiz game will help you memorize their names and locations. views updated . The high winds and floods, accompanying these storms often cause considerable destruction of property. The Caribbean lowlands are the wettest section of Central America, receiving between 2,500 and 6,500 millimeters (98.4 and 255.9 in) of rain annually. km (50,340 sq. 10,380 km2, Southernmost point: Trinidad, Río San Juan, Westernmost point: Pacific coast at Gulf of Fonseca, Chinandega Department, Easternmost point: Miskito Cays archipelago, North Caribbean Coast Autonomous RegionLowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mHighest point: Mogotón 2,438 m, Land use: This sea is a popular tourist destination for people who come to see its clear blue waters, coral reefs, and tropical islands. Aleman's presidency, however, had severe issues with corruption and in 2001, Nicaragua again held presidential elections. Very few significant streams flow west to the Pacific Ocean. Most of the area is flat, except for a line of young volcanoes, many of which are still active, running between the Golfo de Fonseca and Lago de Nicaragua. It has an executive branch made up of a chief of state and a head of government, both of which are filled by the president and a legislative branch comprised of a unicameral National Assembly. Nicaragua is one of the few countries where people will find this variety so close together. Cobbleroad to El Sauce.JPG 2,048 × 1,536; 392 KB. In November 2020, two major hurricanes: Eta and Iota, made landfall on the nation in nearly same locations in consecutive weeks, causing hundreds of deaths throughout the caribbean region and causing millions of dollars in damage. Rainfall is seasonal—May through October is the rainy season, and December through April is the driest period. Exclusive economic zone: 123,881 km2 (47,831 sq mi). Nicaragua covers a total area of 130,370 square kilometers (119,990 square kilometers of which is land area) and contains a variety of climates and terrains. 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