Nicaragua

Girl with oxen A land of lakes and volcanoes, poets and revolutionaries, Nicaragua is a country rich in history and human resilience in the face of natural disaster, war and economic exploitation.

As the largest but most sparsely populated of the Central American nations, Nicaragua is bordered by Honduras, Costa Rica, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is about the size of Iowa. Nicaragua is mountainous in the west with a chain of 20 volcanoes and fertile valleys. Two large lakes, Nicaragua and Managua, are connected by the Tipitapa River. The swampy Caribbean coast is aptly called the “Mosquito Coast.”

Nicaragua population is 5.5 million with 1.4 million in Managua. It is second to Haiti as the poorest country in the western hemisphere. With more than half the population unemployed or underemployed, Nicaragua faces many pressing developmental challenges. Poverty is endemic. Severe environmental degradation and flood damage compromised the fragile food security of many rural areas. Limited access to healthcare and health education has led to a high rate of child mortality. Rural economic development is slowed by the lack of business training and access to credit.

In spite of international exploitation and natural disaster, Nicaraguans are friendly and eager to meet visitors.

Nicaragua

Stateside office

Nicaragua office