Nicaragua
sovereign state in Central America
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Nicaragua is a country located in North America [1]. It was established on January 1, 1821 . The nation covers an area of 120k [2] and has a population of 7.0M as of 2025 [3].
Daniel Ortega serves as the head of government [4]. The country observes the time zone UTC−06:00 and America/Managua .
World Factbook
CIA reference data · 4 sections
Geography
Location
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Climate
tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Natural resources
gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
People & Society
Religions
Roman Catholic 44.9%, Protestant 38.7% (Evangelical 38.2, Adventist 0.5%), other 1.2%, (includes Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ), believer but not belonging to a church 1%, agnostic or atheist 0.4%, none 13.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2020 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Legal system
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Economy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$52.989 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$7,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
3.6% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.6% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
4.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 51%, Mexico 12%, El Salvador 6%, Canada 6%, Switzerland 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 24%, China 13%, Mexico 9%, Honduras 9%, Guatemala 8% (2023)
Source: CIA World Factbook · public domain (US gov work, 17 USC §105) · fetched 2026-05-06
Key Facts
- Member of: United Nations[3], World Trade Organization[4], International Bank for Reconstruction and Development[5], International Development Association[6], International Finance Corporation[7], Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency[8], International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes[9], Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean[10], Central American Bank for Economic Integration[11], Central American Common Market[12], Interpol[13], Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons[14], UNESCO[15], Universal Postal Union UPU[16]
- Country: Nicaragua[17]
- Head of government: Daniel Ortega[18]
- Continent: North America[19]
- Instance of: country[20]
- Head of state: Daniel Ortega[21]
- Capital: Managua (City)[22]
- Official language: Spanish[23]
- Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba[24]
- Shares border with: Costa Rica[25], Honduras[26], Colombia[27]
- Top-level Internet domain: .ni[28]
- Anthem: Salve a ti[29]
- Basic form of government: republic[30]
- Named after: Nicarao[31]
- Contains the administrative territorial entity: Boaco Department[32], Carazo Department[33], Chinandega Department[34], Chontales Department[35], Estelí Department[36], Granada Department[37], Jinotega Department[38], León Department[39], Madriz Department[40], Managua Department[41], Masaya Department[42], Matagalpa Department[43], Nueva Segovia Department[44], Rivas Department[45]
- Flag: flag of Nicaragua[46]
- Legislative body: National Assembly of Nicaragua[47]
- Executive body: Government of Nicaragua[48]
- Coat of arms: coat of arms of Nicaragua[49]
- Part of: Latin America[50]
- Commons category: Nicaragua[51]
- Licence plate code: NIC[52]
- Located in time zone: UTC−06:00[53], America/Managua[54]
Body
Cultural Significance
Things named for Nicaragua include Nicaraguans[55], a human population[56].
Why It Matters
Nicaragua has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[57] Nicaragua is known by 44 alternative names across languages and contexts.[58]
Entities named for Nicaragua include Nicaraguans[55], a human population[56].