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Nicaragua is located in the center of the Central American isthmus, and is the gateway to the southern section of this marvelous tropical bridge. It is a country full of mountains and tropical jungles, beautiful beaches, rivers, volcanoes, exuberant flora, an abundance of exotic fauna, and rich history. |
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| GEOGRAPHY |
Bordered 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. The country is divided into three geographic regions: the Pacific Lowlands on the west, the mountainous Central Region and the Atlantic Lowlands on the east.
The Pacific Lowlands:
This lowland area runs from the Gulf of Fonseca, on Nicaragua's Pacific border with Costa Rica south of Lake Nicaragua. From this lowland strip, the Maribios mountain range, with its 25 volcanic cones, towers overs some of the most beautiful and impressive beaches found anywhere else in Central America.
This region is the most populated. About 27 percent of the nation's entire population lives in and around Managua, the capital city, on the southern shores of Lake Managua. Few Latin American capital cities share Managua's picturesque location. Being on an open plain, it does not suffer the pollution of other capitals trapped in mountain valleys.
In addition to its beach and resort communities, the Pacific Lowlands is also the repository for much of Nicaragua's Spanish colonial heritage. Cities such as Granada and Leon abound in Spanish colonial architecture and artifacts.
The Central Region:
An ecologically active area with mountains and ranges over 3,281 feet above sea level. Oaks, pines, moss, ferns and orchids are abundant in the massive cloud forests of the region. Large coffee plantations often welcome a weary visitor with a steaming cup of the homegrown product.
Hikers and backpackers, walking along the tree shaded paths can quench their thirst in the clear waters of the mountain springs.
A lucky bird watcher may be able to add a rare quetzal to their inventory. Most certainly they will see goldfinches, hummingbirds, magpies or toucanets. Taking a branch of the famous Pan American Highway, the traveler can drive through the heart of this region to the border with Honduras.
The Atlantic Lowlands:
Nicaragua's tropical east coast is far different from the rest of the country. The climate is predominantly tropical with high temperature and high humidity. Around the area's principal city of Bluefields, English is widely spoken and the population resembles that found in many typical Caribbean ports.
Nature lovers will find much to peak their interest in the tropical forests of the area. A great variety of birds are to be studied including eagles, turkeys, toucans, parakeets and macaws. Animal life in the area includes several different species of monkeys, ant-eaters, white-tailed deer and tapirs.
It is well worth the time to take the short flight from Bluefields to the Corn Islands. These small, beautiful islands are fringed with white coral and are a popular resort area for many Central Americans. They are a perfect spot for bathing, surfing, fishing and the small island even has a mountain to climb. If you are a lover of seafood and shell fish, the Corn Islands is the place to be. |
| MONEY EXCHANGE |
Currency:
Nicaraguan Gold Cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of C$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Credit cards:
MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques:
Accepted in a number of places.
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| PEOPLE |
The "Nicas" are friendly and obliging people, with a matriarchal society.
The country is multi-ethnic with no official religion. Nicaragua's population is very young, 60 percent is under 17 years of age. Mestizos of mixed Indian and Spanish blood make up the majority of the population and they are the originators of Nicargua's colorful folklore, music and much of its religious tradition.
Managua is the nation's capital with a population of approximately one million, 27 percent of the entire country's popultation. On the Atlantic Coast there is also strong African influence which has its roots in the black workers brought in by the British to work the plantations and in Jamaican immigration. Another predominant ethnic group is the Miskito Indian.
Language
Spanish is the official language. On the Atlantic Coast the indigenous population speaks English and Miskito.
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| SHOPPING |
In Managua as well as in major cities, tourists can buy national products such as clothing, shoes, handicrafts and souvenirs. Foreign goods are also available.
Gold and silver goods produced in Nicaragua have great demand and can be purchased in major jewelry stores. Some of the largest and best stores are the Centro Comercial Managua, Metrocentro, Supermercados, Diplotiendas and Supermercados Internacionales.
Handicrafts
Easily obtained in Managua'a Roberto Huembes Market. However, a better place to obtain them is Masaya. Here you will find clothing, leather, hemp and wood goods, shoes, and pre-Columbian type ceramic, attractive souvenirs of your visit to Nicaragua.
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| TAX |
Departure tax from International Airport in Managua:
USD 32.00 per person.
Sales tax is 15%.
Airline tickets tax is 6.5% |
| HOLIDAYS & FESTIVITIES |
| Jan |
1 |
New Year's Day |
| Mar |
Varies |
Holy Thursday and Friday |
| Apr |
Varies |
Holy Thursday and Friday |
| May |
1 |
Labour Day |
| July |
19 |
Revolution of 1979 |
| Sep |
14 |
Battle of San Jacinto |
| 15 |
Independence Day |
| Nov |
2 |
All Souls Day |
| Dec |
8 |
Immaculate Conception |
| 25 |
Christmas |
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| COUNTRY ORIENTATION |
No tourist visa required for U.S. citizens. Enter the country with a valid passport. However, a tourist card must be purchased upon arrival. Currently, Tourist Card is $5.00 per person.
Museums and historical sites
National Museum of Nicaragua - Managua
Acahualinca Footprints Museum - Managua
Julio Cortazar Museum - Managua
Alfabetizacion Museum - Managua
Casa Hacienda San Jacinto - Km 39.5 Carr. Norte
Tenderi Museum - Nindiri
Ruben Dario Archive-Museum - Leon
Adicat Museum - Leon
Exposition Zapatera Collection - Granada
Nicarao Museum of Anthropology and History - Rivas
Gregorio Aguilar Barea Museum - Chontales
Ruben Dario House - Museum - Ciudad Dario
Masaya Volcano Museum - Masaya
Managua: The centre of the capital was completely destroyed by an earthquake in December 1972 and there was further severe damage during the civil wars of 1978-1979. The Government has now decided that it will rebuild the old centre, adding parks and recreational facilities. In the old centre of Managua one can still see examples of colonial architecture in the National Palace and the Cathedral.
Places of Interest: There are several volcanic crater lagoons in the environs of Managua's centres of watersports and residential development with boating, fishing and picnicking facilities. Laguna de Xiloa is the most popular of these lagoons. Boats can be hired on the shores of Lake Managua for visiting the still-smoking Momotombo volcano and the shore villages. On Tiscapa Lagoon there is a recently-built recreation centre.
Leon: The 'intellectual' capital of Nicaragua, with a university, religious colleges, the largest cathedral in Central America and several colonial churches. There was heavy fighting here during the civil wars of 1978-1979 and much of it was damaged.
Granada: Lies at the foot of the Mombacho volcano. It has many beautiful buildings and has faithfully preserved its Castilian traditions. The cathedral has been rebuilt in neo-Classical style. Also of interest are the Church of La Merced, the Church of Jalteva and the fortress-church of San Francisco.
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| WEATHER |
Nicaragua has a predominantly tropical climate, alternating between two seasons: rainy and dry (winter and summer). This is the result of its geographic location between 11 and 15 degrees latitude north and the humidity from both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans which give it a fairly stable season.
In the Central Region the rainy season lasts from May to October. The dry season occurs from November through April. During December the weather is more temperate. The warmest months are March, April and May, Nicargua's "sea season".
The climate in the Atlantic Coast has been classified as having the highest temperature and humidity. The temperature in this region corresponds to that in tropical jungles and ranges above 89 F.
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