Granada, Nicaragua
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Granada, with an estimated population of about 116,000 (2005), is the oldest city in Central America and the oldest on the mainland of the Americas. It is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities. Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua, at , the city was founded by Francisco Hernandex de Cordoba on December 8, 1524. Granada is like most of the Nicaraguan Pacific primarily populated by Spanish-speaking Whites and Mestizos. There are also many citizens of the USA, Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, Holland, and France; this is primarily due to Granada's booming tourist economy. Recently, the number of foreigners seeking colonial homes for purchase has brought a growing number of Europeans and Americans to Granada as real estate prices are comparatively low.
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[edit] History
Granada was named after Granada in Spain by Fernando Hernandez de Cordoba, in honour of the defeat by the Catholic King and Queen of Spain of the Moorish city of the same name in Andalucia, which was the last stronghold of the Moors in southern Spain. During the colonial period Granada maintained a flourishing level of commerce with ports on the Atlantic, throught Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and the San Juan River, reason for which the city captured the attention of many pirates which assaulted the city on three occasions. It was also the home of William Walker, a filibuster who intended to take control of Central America; unfortunately Walker set the city ablaze before escaping and leaving printed the words "Granada Was Here".
Though many buildings in Granada were badly damaged, the city was rebuilt. However for many years Granada disputed with Léon its hegemony as the major city of Nicaragua. The city of Granada was favoured by the Conservatives, while Léon was favoured by the Liberals. For many years the conflict at times became quite violent between both cities and groups. Nonetheless it was not until the mid 1800s when a compromise site was agreed on and the capital was finally established in between both cities in Managua. Granada is commonly nicknamed the "Gran Sultana del Gran Lago" - the Great Sultan of the Great Lake.
Granada is known to be one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America for its rich colonial heritage, seen in its buildings, which are being restored on a consistent basis as the city's economy grows. The city has been witness and victim to many the battles by English, French and Dutch pirates trying to take control of Nicaragua, which on some occasions was unfortunately looted. Luckily Granada was primarily safeguarded against battle during the years of conflict which existed in Nicaragua in the 1980s. Nonetheless Granada has shown to be a city of character and strength, surviving many of the adversities which it suffered, and continues to grow economically as it further develops its tourism industry.
[edit] Geography
Granada is located along the coast of the Lake Nicaragua, the world's twentieth largest lake, and the only freshwater lake to have sharks and other marine creatures living in its waters. Granada is the capital city of the Department of Granada, which boarders Boaco and Managua to the north, Masaya and Carazo to the east and Rivas to the south. Within the same department, the River Tipitapa which connects the Lake of Managua and Nicaragua passes through it in the north. It also has three lagoons, Manares, Genirzaro, and the famous Apoyo which is shared with the Deprtament of Masaya, the largest lagoon in Nicaragua. Granada is also a very warm city year round, with very similar temperatures to Managua due to its similarities in geography with its close proximity to the lake and high hills nearby.
Other important cities and towns in Granada include Malacatoya, El Paso, El Guayabo, Diria, Macatepe, El Guanacaste, Nandaime and Diriomo; this last city known nationally as the city of witches. The Volcan Mombacho is the highest point (1,345m) within Granada; the now extinct volcano blew most of its cone into the lake forming the 365 Isletas the Granada, from where the volcano provides an amazing view. It is also possible on a clear day to see the Ometepe and Zapatera Island. This last island is the second largest island in Lake Nicaragua and it too was also a volcano. It is the famous nationally for being the home of pre-colombian statues and idols which were found on the island by the Spanish conquest, these are now exhibited in the Convento San Frnacisco Museum.
Granada has many beaches from Lake Nicaragua, and are very popular around Semana Santa. The more popular beaches are to the north of the city. Rain in Granada is approximately between 1,100-2,100mm annually. The vegetation that covers the area around Granada is a reflection of its climatology, dry forests and also humid forests on the skirts of the Mombacho volcano. The volcano is also home to an array of fauna, from birds monkey, iguanas, sloths, and guatizas among others. The lake is also home to many creatures both marine and freshwater creatures, fishing in the lake is for various species of fish such as the guapote and mojarras, as well as sardines. Previously, around 50 years ago, sharks were often spotted on the coast of Granada scaring many bathers, though sightings of sharks along the coast no longer occur.
[edit] Economy
Granada remains Nicaragua's third largest city, and is known for preserving some fine colonial-era architecture. A mini real estate boom is underway, with many European and Americans purchasing and renovating the area's homes for retirement or holiday homes. There are several foreign realtors establishing in the city, although unlike in other countries, there appear to be no official, publicly available records of purchase prices. Granada has long been a center of commerce, including timber, cacao, and gold and silver.
Today, however there is an ever growing effervescence of tourism growing in Granada. It is now the centre for most of the tourism that exists in Nicaragua. Museums have opened and there are plenty of tour operators. Hotels and paradores are abundant in Granada and are continually opening every year, in addition restuarants have been growing in numbers and so too have many bars and nightclubs, which are very popular among the people of Granada and tourists passing through the city. Granada is now highly dependent upon its tourism industry, nonetheless the city of Nandaime has very fertile land which produce plantain, bananas and cattle grazing.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Tourism
[edit] Entertainment
[edit] Infrastructure
Granada's streets are quite narrow because of its design before the inventions of motor vehicles. For this reason nowadays, some streets are one way streets only and vehicles may only travel in one direction, which may be somewhat confusing for those who visit the city. After many years of abadonement primarily due to the economic collapse of the nation in the 1980s most of Granada's buildings to deteriorate. However, gradually during the re-establishment of democracy and economic growth, as much of the rest of the country more invesmtent has been directed in re-establishing many of Granada's old colonial builings. Inclusive of this the Spanish government has provided financial cooperation for the refurbishment of the city, one of the projects which currently are transforming Calle La Calzada into peatonal street.
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- Granada City Tourism Page
- Granada: Nicaragua's Grandest City
- Granada, Nicaragua, Central America
- Granada: description, monuments, photos, hotels, restaurants
- Granada: hotels, restaurants, activities, photos
- Granada: hotels, restaurants, real estate, attractions
- Granada City Tourism Page
- Central Granada street map with bus-stops
