10 facts about Nicaragua

Here are ten facts about the country that you may not have known before.

1. Nicaragua has two coasts, each bordering a different ocean. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of the country and the Caribbean to the east.

2. Although Nicaragua’s capital is Managua, the city of Granada is probably the most popular amongst tourists, and in fact is the oldest city on continental Latin America. It was founded in 1524 by Hernandez de Cordoba, who gave his name to the national currency – the Cordoba.

3. The dry season in Nicaragua runs from December to May and the wettest months are usually June and October. The most popular time to visit is in November.

4. The people, and most of the economic activity, are concentrated in the western highlands, around the two Great Lakes – Managua and Nicaragua.

5. The national sport of Nicaragua is baseball, which is even more popular than football!

6. The name Nicaragua comes from a combination of two words, “nicarao” and “agua”. The Nicarao were the Indian tribe who occupied the shores of Lake Nicaragua when the Spaniards arrived in the 1500’s. “Agua” is the Spanish word for water.

7. Today, the main language is Spanish, although native tribes on the eastern coast speak their native languages, such as Miskito, Sumo and Rama, as well as English Creole.

8. Nicaragua gained independence from Spain after the Mexican revolution ended in September 15, 1821.  September 15th is celebrated as Independence Day and is a national holiday in Nicaragua.

9. Probably Nicaragua’s most famous feature, Lake Nicaragua covers a vast 8,264 sq km and is home to more than 430 volcanic islands. It’s also home to a unique range of fish, some of which don’t exist anywhere else in the world.

10. Much of Nicaraguan food is based on corn. Cassava, beans and chili pepper are also widely used as ingredients in different Nicaraguan dishes. One of the most common Nicaraguan dishes is Nacatamales: Cornflower dumplings boiled in plantain leaves stuffed with vegetables.

Cactus offers Spanish courses in Central and South America.

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