40 Interesting & Unknown Nicaragua Facts
Nicaragua is a beautiful tropical country with wonderful rainforests, amazing landscapes, mountains, lakes, and friendly people. Did you know the only freshwater sharks known in the world can be found in Lake Nicaragua in Nicaragua? Learn more interesting Nicaragua facts on this list! Enjoy.
1. The name Nicaragua comes from a combination of two words, “nicarao” and “agua”.
2. The total nominal GDP of Nicaragua is $10.5 billion.
3. The president and vice president of Nicaragua serve a five-year term.
4. Managua is the capital of Nicaragua.
5. Managua is the country’s largest city and it is one of the most populous cities in Central America.
6. Spanish is the country’s official language.
7. The literacy rate in Nicaragua is over 82%.
8. Nicaragua is considered the poorest country in Central America.
9. Spain ruled the country from the 16th century through the 19th century.
10. The infamous Dual Volcano is located in Nicaragua. It is the only volcano in the world that is fed by two different magma flows.
11. 88 constellations are visible in Earth‘s night sky — 86 of them can be seen clearly in Nicaragua.
12. Baseball is played by almost every culture in Nicaragua.
13. The only freshwater sharks known in the world can be found in Lake Nicaragua.
14. There are 70 protected regions of land and water in Nicaragua.
15. There are no street names in Nicaragua.
16. Nicaragua is considered the safest Central American country to travel.
17. In terms of area, Nicaragua is just slightly larger than the state of New York.
18. In 1821, the country gained its independence from Spain.
19. The oldest city in central America is Ruins of Leon Viejo, Nicaragua which is over 1500 years old.
20. Nicaragua’s main imports are medicines, yarn, oils, and cars.
21. Gold Cordoba is the official currency of Nicaragua.
22. Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America.
23. Nicaraguans use steam from the country’s volcanoes as geothermal energy.
24. Volcanoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes are the main threats to this Central American country.
25. Over half of the country is mestizo, a combination of Amerindian and white.
26. The country is not divided into states, but it is divided into 15 Departamentos.
27. Nicaragua is divided into three regions: the North-Central Highlands, the Pacific Lowlands, and the Atlantic Lowlands.
28. Violeta Chamorro was elected as president in 1990 and she was the first female president in Nicaragua.
29. Aztecs and Mayans are the earliest inhabitants of Nicaragua.
30. There are over 400 volcanoes found in Lake Nicaragua.
31. The sister cities of Managua are Los Angeles and Miami.
32. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch displaced over two million people and killed around 3,000.
33. An earthquake hit Managua in 1972 and killed over 19,000 people.
34. Nicaragua has no official religion.
35. The Palo de Mayo is a folk dance performed in Nicaragua.
36. Nicaragua has one of the youngest populations in the world.
37. Each city of Nicaragua celebrates Patrón Saint festivities.
38. Lake Nicaragua is home to more than 430 volcanic islands.
39. Poetry is one of the most beloved and practiced arts in this country.
