Discover Fascinating Nicaragua Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Nicaragua.
Nicaragua
Background
๐ The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was first settled by Spanish colonizers way back in the early 16th century! After many years, on September 15, 1821, Nicaragua declared its independence from Spain. ๐ Finally, in 1838, Nicaragua became a fully independent republic! However, since then, things have taken a turn as the president has taken full control over all branches of government, leading to weakened democratic institutions. ๐
Independence Declared
1821
Republic Established
1838
Exports - commodities
๐ Nicaragua's economy has a vibrant palette of exports! In 2022, the country showcased an array of commodities that contribute to its trade. Notably, Nicaraguan exports include garments, gold, coffee, insulated wire, and beef. Each of these commodities plays an important role in bringing income to the nation and showcasing its rich resources! โ๐๐ฐ๐ฅฉ๐ก
Export Commodities
garments, gold, coffee, insulated wire, beef
Exports - partners
๐ Let's take a look at who Nicaragua trades with the most! In 2022, the United States was the biggest partner, taking a whopping 52% of Nicaragua's exports. Mexico follows with 12%, while Honduras accounts for 7% and El Salvador for 6%. Costa Rica rounds out the list with 3%. ๐ This trading relationship is essential for Nicaragua's economy and shows a strong connection with its neighbors and the United States.
Total Export Partners
5
Highest Export Partner
United States
Export Share of US
52%
Exports Partners of Nicaragua (2022)
Capital
๐ The capital city of Nicaragua is Managua! This bustling city is located near the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlan (Lake Managua). It's known for its vibrant culture, historical sites, and beautiful surroundings. Did you know that Managua has been the capital since 1852? ๐๏ธ
Imports - commodities
๐ฆ Nicaragua imports various essential commodities to support its economy and meet the needs of its people. In 2022, some of the key imports included:
- Garments: Clothing is a big part of international trade for Nicaragua, helping to provide jobs and boost the economy.
- Refined Petroleum: This is crucial for transport and energy, keeping the wheels turning in the country! ๐๐จ
- Fabric: Essential for the garment industry, fabric plays a significant role in the country's textile production.
- Plastic Products: These versatile items are used in many everyday products, from containers to household goods.
- Crude Petroleum: Although refined petroleum is a primary import, crude oil is also significant as it supports energy generation and industry. โก
Each of these commodities fills a specific need, contributing to Nicaragua's vibrant market and trade relationships! ๐
Key Imports
garments, refined petroleum, fabric, plastic products, crude petroleum
Climate
๐ Nicaragua has a fascinating climate that's both tropical and cooler! The lowlands are tropical, which means you can expect warm weather and lots of sunshine. โ๏ธ On the other hand, the highlands have a cooler climate, perfect for a little refreshment after enjoying the warm tropical vibes. ๐ It's like having two climates in one country! Whether you prefer the sunny beaches or the cool mountain air, Nicaragua has something for everyone! ๐ด๐๏ธ
Executive branch
๐ณ๐ฎ In Nicaragua, the Executive Branch is led by the same person since 2007! Meet President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. He serves as both the chief of state and the head of government, a powerful role that combines leadership in the country. He took office on January 10, 2007 and has been leading Nicaragua ever since! ๐
Current President
Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra
Time in Office
Since January 10, 2007
Legislative branch
In Nicaragua, the Legislative branch is represented by a unicameral National Assembly which has 92 seats! ๐๏ธ This means all the legislative action happens in one place, making it easier for laws and rules to be created. The National Assembly plays a big role in the government, representing the voice of the people. ๐
Total seats in the National Assembly
92
Natural resources
Nicaragua is rich in natural resources! ๐โจ Let's take a look at the treasures this beautiful country has to offer:
- Gold: A shiny and precious metal loved around the world!
- Silver: Known for its beauty and value, silver is another important resource for Nicaragua!
- Copper: This metal is used in many electronics and is an essential resource.
- Tungsten: A heavy metal used in various applications, from light bulbs to military weapons.
- Lead: Used in batteries and radiation shielding, lead is part of what Nicaragua has underground.
- Zinc: An important metal that helps protect against corrosion!
- Timber: Nicaragua has beautiful forests, providing valuable wood resources. ๐ฒ๐ช
- Fish: The waters around Nicaragua are rich with fish, essential for both food and trade! ๐ฃ
These natural resources not only contribute to the economy but also show the environmental diversity that Nicaragua possesses! ๐ฟ
Natural resources available in Nicaragua
Gold, Silver, Copper, Tungsten, Lead, Zinc, Timber, Fish
Economic overview
Nicaragua has a low-income economy located in Central America ๐. For nearly 20 years, up until 2018, the country enjoyed sustained growth in its GDP ๐, making it a shining example of progress. However, challenges have emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic ๐ท, political instability โ๏ธ, and destructive hurricanes ๐ช๏ธ, putting pressure on the economy.
A critical part of Nicaragua's economy is remittances, which play a significant role in supporting families and communities ๐ธ. Unfortunately, the situation has worsened since 2005, with increasing poverty and food scarcity impacting many lives ๐ฝ๏ธ. Additionally, international sanctions have limited investment opportunities, making recovery harder.
Period of sustained GDP growth
20 years
Struggles due to events
COVID-19, political instability, hurricanes
Increasing poverty and food scarcity since
2005
Government type
Nicaragua is a presidential republic! ๐๏ธ This means that the president is the head of state and government, making key decisions for the country. In this type of government, the president has significant powers and is elected by the citizens. It's an exciting system that combines elements of democracy and leadership! ๐โจ
Ethnic groups
Nicaragua's Ethnic Diversity ๐
Nicaragua is a beautiful mosaic of cultures and ethnicities! Here's a look at the different ethnic groups that make up the country:
- Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White): 69%
- White: 17%
- Black: 9%
- Indigenous: 5%
As you can see, Mestizos form the largest group, making up almost 7 out of every 10 people! It's fascinating to see how these different backgrounds blend together to create Nicaragua's unique heritage. ๐
Let's visualize this data for a better understanding! ๐
Percentage of Mestizo
69%
Percentage of White
17%
Percentage of Black
9%
Percentage of Indigenous
5%
Ethnic Composition of Nicaragua
Religions
In Nicaragua, the religious landscape is quite diverse and colorful! ๐ Here's a breakdown of the beliefs held by the people:
- Roman Catholic: 44.9% ๐ฟ
- Protestant: 38.7% (including Evangelical: 38.2% and Adventist: 0.5%) โช
- Other religions: 1.2% (this includes groups like Jehovah's Witness and the Church of Jesus Christ) โ๏ธ
- Believer but not belonging to a church: 1% ๐
- Agnostic or Atheist: 0.4% ๐
- None: 13.7% โ
- Unspecified: 0.2% ๐
These statistics give us a glimpse into the faith communities in Nicaragua. The majority of the population identifies as either Roman Catholic or Protestant, creating a rich cultural and spiritual mosaic! ๐๏ธ
Total percentage of Roman Catholics
44.9%
Total percentage of Protestants
38.7%
Percentage of people with no religion
13.7%
Percentage of agnostics or atheists
0.4%
Religious Distribution in Nicaragua
Languages
In Nicaragua, the official language is Spanish, spoken by an incredible 99.5% of the population! ๐ But that's not allโthere are also some Indigenous languages spoken by 0.3% of the people. A small 0.1% of Nicaraguans speak Portuguese, and another 0.1% speak other languages. ๐ This showcases the rich linguistic diversity of the country, blending history with modern culture! ๐
Percentage of Spanish speakers
99.5%
Percentage of Indigenous speakers
0.3%
Percentage of Portuguese speakers
0.1%
Percentage of Other language speakers
0.1%
Language Distribution in Nicaragua
Imports - partners
๐ Let's dive into Nicaragua's import partners in 2022! Here's how the pie slices up:
- United States: 26% ๐บ๐ธ
- China: 11% ๐จ๐ณ
- Honduras: 10% ๐ญ๐ณ
- Guatemala: 9% ๐ฌ๐น
- Mexico: 9% ๐ฒ๐ฝ
It's clear that the United States takes the biggest slice of the pie when it comes to imports. ๐ค Isn't that interesting? Nicaragua has a mix of partners, with China coming in as the second-largest supplier. Let's celebrate this global teamwork! ๐
Total Percentage of Top 5 Partners
65%
Nicaragua's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Nicaragua is home to a vibrant community with a total population of 6,676,948 people! That's a lot of neighbors and friends! ๐ฅ Let's explore what this means for this beautiful Central American country. ๐ฟ
Total population of Nicaragua
6,676,948
Area
๐ Nicaragua is a beautiful country with a total area of 130,370 sq km! Thatโs quite a big space to explore! Out of this, 119,990 sq km is land, perfect for all sorts of adventures. Plus, there's 10,380 sq km of water, adding a splash of fun to the landscape! ๐ฃโโ๏ธ๐ฆ
Total Area
130370 sq km
Land Area
119990 sq km
Water Area
10380 sq km
Area Composition of Nicaragua
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a look at the economy of Nicaragua and how it's been growing over the past few years! The Real GDP (that's the total value of all goods and services produced in a country) has seen some exciting changes:
- In 2021, Nicaragua had a Real GDP of $47.089 billion.
- By 2022, it increased to $48.856 billion! ๐
- And in 2023, it's estimated to reach $51.088 billion! ๐
This shows a steady growth in Nicaragua's economy, which is great news! ๐
2021 Real GDP
47.089 billion USD
2022 Real GDP
48.856 billion USD
2023 Real GDP
51.088 billion USD
Nicaragua's Real GDP Over Years
Real GDP per capita
๐ Real GDP per Capita in Nicaragua
Nicaragua's economy is showing some signs of growth! ๐ต Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita over the last few years:
- 2021: $6,900
- 2022: $7,000
- 2023: $7,300
This steady increase shows that the citizens of Nicaragua are generating more wealth on average each year. ๐
Check out the chart below to visualize this positive trend! ๐
Real GDP per Capita in 2021
6900
Real GDP per Capita in 2022
7000
Real GDP per Capita in 2023
7300
Real GDP per Capita in Nicaragua (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Let's take a look at how much Nicaragua has been importing over the last few years! Imports are the goods and services that come into a country from other places. They are super important for the economy! Here's how the imports have increased:
- 2021: $8.342 billion
- 2022: $10.212 billion
- 2023: $10.517 billion
Isn't it interesting to see how the numbers get bigger each year? ๐๐ต
Estimated Imports in 2023
$10.517 billion
Estimated Imports in 2022
$10.212 billion
Estimated Imports in 2021
$8.342 billion
Nicaragua's Import Trends (2021-2023)
Exports
๐ Nicaragua's Exports Over the Years ๐
Nicaragua has been growing its exports steadily! Hereโs a peek at the estimated export values over the recent years:
- 2021: $6.618 billion ๐ฐ
- 2022: $7.87 billion ๐
- 2023: $8.25 billion ๐
This shows a positive trend, and Nicaragua is on its way to increasing its export power more and more! ๐
Estimated Exports in 2023
$8.25 billion
Estimated Exports in 2022
$7.87 billion
Estimated Exports in 2021
$6.618 billion
Nicaragua's Export Growth (2021-2023)
Population growth rate
๐ The population growth rate in Nicaragua is projected to be 0.95% for the year 2024. This means that the number of people in Nicaragua is expected to increase by this percentage, which can affect many things like schools, jobs, and the economy! ๐ Let's keep an eye on how this number changes over the years!
Projected population growth rate for 2024
0.95%