Key Facts about Nicaragua

Dec. 30, 2023

At least 20 passengers from Gujarat who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight, which was sent back mid-route from France recently, were questioned by the police in an attempt to unearth a suspected illegal immigration network.

About Nicaragua:

It is a country in Central America and the largest of the Central American republics.
Borders:
- The country is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south.
- The Pacific Ocean provides the border to the west, and the eastern border of the country is in the Caribbean Sea.
History:
- It was the only country in Latin America to be colonized by both the Spanish and the British.
- It gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and became part of the Mexican Empire for several years.
- Then it joined a group of nearby countries with a central government in Guatemala City called the Provinces of Central America.
- Nicaragua split from the group in 1838 and became fully independent.
Form of Government:
- It is a Republic. The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.
- Power is divided among four governmental branches: the executive, legislative, judicial, and Supreme Electoral Council.
Capital: Managua
Official Languages: Spanish, English, indigenous languages
Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO)
Population:
- It is made up mostly of mestizos(people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry).
- Most people live in the western Pacific lowland region between the Pacific coast and Lake Managua.