Outline of Nicaragua

The Republic of Nicaragua is a sovereign, representative democratic republic and the most extensive nation in Central America.[1] It is also the least densely populated with a demographic similar in size to its smaller neighbors. The country is bordered by Honduras to the north and by Costa Rica to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of the country, while the Caribbean Sea lies to the east. Falling within the tropics, Nicaragua sits 11 degrees north of the Equator, in the Northern Hemisphere.

The country's name is derived from Nicarao, the name of the Nahuatl-speaking tribe which inhabited the shores of Lago de Nicaragua before the Spanish conquest of the Americas, and the Spanish word Agua, meaning water, due to the presence of the large lakes Lago de Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and Lago de Managua (Xolotlán), as well as lagoons and rivers in the region.[2]

At the time of the Spanish conquest, Nicaragua was the name given to the narrow strip of land between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. Chief Nicarao ruled over the land when the first conquerors arrived. The term was eventually applied, by extension, to the Nicarao or Niquirano groups that inhabited that region.

The Nicarao tribe migrated to the area from northern regions after the fall of Teotihuacán, on the advice of their religious leaders. According to tradition, they were to travel south until they encountered a lake with two volcanoes rising out of the waters, and so they stopped when they reached Ometepe, the largest fresh-water volcanic island in the world.

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Nicaragua:

General reference

Geography of Nicaragua

 Honduras 922 km
 Costa Rica 309 km
  • Coastline: 910 km

Environment of Nicaragua

Natural geographic features of Nicaragua

Regions of Nicaragua

Administrative divisions of Nicaragua

Departments of Nicaragua
Municipalities of Nicaragua

Demography of Nicaragua

Government and politics of Nicaragua

Main article: Government of Nicaragua and Politics of Nicaragua

Branches of the government of Nicaragua

Executive branch of the government of Nicaragua

Legislative branch of the government of Nicaragua

Judicial branch of the government of Nicaragua

Foreign relations of Nicaragua

International organization membership

The Republic of Nicaragua is a member of:[1]

Law and order in Nicaragua

Military of Nicaragua

History of Nicaragua

Main article: History of Nicaragua

Culture of Nicaragua

Art in Nicaragua

Sports in Nicaragua

Economy and infrastructure of Nicaragua

Education in Nicaragua

See also

Nicaragua portal
Latin America portal

References

External links

General
Maps

Wikimedia Atlas of Nicaragua