Culture
THE PEOPLE
There are approximately 5.2 million people that call Nicaragua home. A majority of the population is a mix of Spanish and Native American heritage, also known as Mestizos. The country's primary language is Spanish.
Nicaragua is the least populated country in Central America with only 5.2 million inhabitants. A majority of the population is a mix of Spanish and Native American heritage, also known as Mestizos. The primary language among this group is Spanish and some can speak broken English.
THE GOVERNMENT
Nicaragua has experienced three drastically different systems of government over the past forty years and is now a constitutional democracy with executive, legislative, judicial, and electoral branches of government. The country votes for president every five years. Presidents are not allowed to run for consecutive terms, a law that was instituted in 2004.
Contrary to many beliefs, the Nicaraguan government is progressive and forward thinking. Legislators have passed laws to improve the infrastructure of the country and implement incentive programs for investors. They are also working with the U.S. Embassy to make land reform a priority.
THE GEOGRAPHY
The Pacific coast of Nicaragua is described as the coast of California before it was developed. Its undisturbed beauty and boundless potential has made Nicaragua one of the most sought after locations in the world to vacation and live.
Nicaragua has one of the most dramatic and diverse environments in the world. The country has the world's greatest concentration of inland lakes and crater lakes, lavish rain forests, and a string of 28 volcanoes, six active and twenty-two dormant. The country contains Central Americas largest forest within 78 nature reserves and national parks including the largest rain forest preserve in Central America. These parks and reserves are home to exotic flora and wildlife such as toucans, monkeys, and iguana.
Nicaragua has a total of nine crater lakes, six of which are around the Managua area, and only second to Africa. There are two large lakes, Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua. Lake Nicaragua contains an assortment of aquatic life including the worlds only fresh water shark. The lake is also home to 400 islands that are a result of an ancient eruption of Mount Mombacho, and includes a dual volcano island that is the largest lake island in the world. The country is also home to 96 rivers.
THE WEATHER
Nicaragua experiences only two seasons throughout the year, summer and winter. The weather in Nicaragua stays constant, averaging between 80 to 90° F in the summer and 75 to 80° F in the winter. The summer months are from December to April and winter from May to November. The summer is considered the dry season with beautiful sunny days and clear, starry nights. The winter is considered the wet season and you can usually expect afternoon showers during this time.
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