Background:

Pre-colonial Nicaragua was composed of two distinct ethnic groups. The central and western regions were populated by tribes related to the Aztecs and Maya while the southern Caribbean lowlands were occupied by tribes from Colombia. The Pacific Coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. During the later part of the twentith century Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and again in 2001 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s, but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Nicaragua has a rich history of art and music and continues that tradition today. Artists are well known for thier ceramics and basketry producing exsquisite pine needle baskets and delicate vases. Folk art paintings and murals are also popular venues for artistic expression.

• Population: 5,465,100
• Ethnic Groups: mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5,
• Religions: Roman Catholic 72.9%, Evangelical 15.1%, Moravian 1.5%

Geography:

• Area: total: 129,494 sq km. water: 9,240 sq km, land: 120,254 sq km
• Borders: Costa Rica, Honduras
• Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
• Terrain: Atlantic plains rising to interior mountains; narrow Pacific plain dotted with volcanoes

• Ministry of Tourism
• Nicaragua.com
• Travel Guide
• Nicaragua News

• Industries: food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood

• Imports: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products

• Exports: coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts