Nicaragua Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Nicaragua (the land of lakes and volcanoes) is a state in Central America, between Costa Rica and Honduras.

The capital is Managua. The official language is Spanish. Currency – cordoba. Religion – Christianity.

The climate is tropical, trade wind. Temperature of the dry period (March-May) +32*С. Rainy period (June-October) +28*С.

Since 2009, Nicaragua has abolished visas for Russian citizens. Upon entering the country, you must pay $10, and upon departure, an airport tax of $35 (if it was not included in the airfare). You can bring in a mini-computer, binoculars, photo, audio and video equipment (one item of each item).

Central America can safely be called the land of volcanoes. Most of them are in Nicaragua, and in that part of the country where 90% of the population lives. There are 18 volcanoes in Nicaragua. Many are dormant, but there are also active ones. The largest and quietest is San Cristobal, the second largest is Telica, and the third is Cerro Negro.

Nicaragua is the country where the volcano Concepción smokes, and its almost perfect cone rises above the clouds. The volcano is located in the northern part of the island of Ometepe, on the freshwater lake of Nicaragua, not far from the capital. Since 1883, the volcano has erupted more than 25 times, the last eruption began on December 11, 2009.

Resorts and attractions in Nicaragua

Compared to Guatemala’s many Mayan cultural sites in the neighborhood, or the chic national parks of Costa Rica, Nicaragua may seem at first glance a modest vacation spot. Here, almost all the monuments of ancient civilizations were destroyed by the revolution, earthquakes and wars.

Managua is the largest and most densely populated city in Nicaragua. No one remembers when the first settlement appeared here. It is only known that in the 16th century, during the settlement by the Spaniards, there was an Indian settlement on the site of Managua. In 1819, there was a small fishing village here, which eventually became a small town. Managua is located on the southern shore of Lake Managua, in the west of the country.

In the 19th century a rather large cultural and artistic center was built under the name of the National Museum of Diocletiano Chave. It is located in the building of the National Cultural Palace, located in the historic center of Managua.

Country data

Location: Central America

Time zone: CET – 7 (during summer time: CET – 8)

Total area: 130,370 km²

Land area: 119,990 km²

Water area: 10,380 km²

Length of the state border: 1,231 km

including:
Costa Rica: 309 km
Honduras: 922 km

Coastline: 910 km

Capital: Managua

Departments: 17
Atlantico Norte, Atlantico Sur, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas

Electric current: 110, 220 V / 60 Hz

Telephone code: 00 505 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Population

Population: approx. 5.8 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 1% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 44

Life expectancy: 71 (male), 75 (female)

Official language: Spanish

Religions:

58% Roman Catholic
23% Protestants
19% other

Climate

The tropical climate zone has very high humidity all year round with an average daytime temperature of 30 ° C. In the months of March and April this can also rise to over 40 ° C.

Especially in the early morning hours (humidity mostly over 80%), the climate is difficult for Europeans to endure. At lunchtime, the humidity decreases slightly (then by 70%).

Rainfalls must be expected all year round, but most rainfall occurs in the months from mid-May to the end of September.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Cordoba Oro (NIO)

Classification: 1 Córdoba Oro = 100 Centavos

ATMs: Available in León, Managua, Masaya and Matagalpa.

International credit cards: These are accepted by many larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts. The export of foreign currencies is allowed in the amount of the declared import.

Since currencies other than the US dollar are almost never exchanged, you should only take this with you as a foreign currency, if possible in smaller denominations.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

200 cigarettes or 500 g tobacco
1 liter of alcoholic beverages
small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

There is an import ban for meat and dairy products, fruit and leather goods and fresh food.

Ancient objects and gold are not allowed to be exported.

Travel advice

The six active volcanoes are currently showing increased activity. Earthquakes and the following restrictions in public life must be expected.

Due to the civil war there are still many minefields that have not been cleared. Therefore, unpaved roads should not be used.

Behavioral advice

You shouldn’t be out after dark.

There are more and more attacks on tourists. Most of the time, the police cannot help.

Economy

Persistent political unrest and mismanagement have severely damaged the country’s productivity.

Most of the agricultural products are exported.

Industries: building materials, chemistry, wood processing, food production, mechanical engineering, textiles

Natural resources: lead, fish, gold, wood, copper, silver, zinc

Land use:

Usable land: 9%
Grain cultivation: 1%
Pasture area: 46%
Forests: 27%
other: 17%

Plants

The original rainforest was largely cut down. The overexploitation was carried out for many decades, both for the export of wood and wood products and for the extraction of agricultural land.

Pine and oak trees are the most common across the country.