# Nicaragua

> sovereign state in Central America

**Wikidata**: [Q811](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q811)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nicaragua

## Summary

Nicaragua is a country located in North America [1]. It was established on January 1, 1821 . The nation covers an area of 120k  and has a population of 7.0M as of 2025 [2].Daniel Ortega serves as the head of government [3]. The country observes the time zone UTC−06:00 and America/Managua [4].

## Summary
Nicaragua is a sovereign state and country situated in Central America, geographically part of the North American continent. It operates as a republic with Managua as its capital city and Spanish as its official language. The nation is bordered by Honduras to the north, Costa Rica to the south, and features coastlines along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

## Key Facts
- **Location:** Central America; part of North America and Latin America.
- **Capital:** Managua (also the most populous urban area).
- **Area:** 120,340 square kilometers.
- **Coordinates:** 13°N 85°W.
- **Independence/Inception:** 1821.
- **Government Type:** Republic; Head of State and Government is Daniel Ortega (since 2007).
- **Legislature:** National Assembly of Nicaragua.
- **Official Language:** Spanish; other languages include Miskito, Rama, Nicaraguan Sign Language, and Mayangna.
- **Currency:** Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO), adopted in 1991; previously used the Nicaraguan peso (1878–1912).
- **Population:** Estimated at 6,676,948 (2024) and 7,005,764 (2025 est.); 5,142,098 (2005 Census).
- **Time Zone:** UTC−06:00 (America/Managua).
- **ISO Codes:** NI (Alpha-2), NIC (Alpha-3), 558 (Numeric).
- **Internet TLD:** .ni.
- **Calling Code:** +505.
- **IOC Code:** NCA.
- **Driving Side:** Right.
- **Electricity:** 120V, 60Hz; plug types NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15.
- **VAT Rate:** 15%.
- **Borders:** Honduras, Costa Rica, and Colombia (maritime).
- **Highest Point:** Cerro Mogotón.
- **Lowest Point:** Caribbean Sea (0m).
- **Anthem:** "Salve a ti" (also known as "Salve a ti, Nicaragua").
- **Flag:** Current flag adopted August 27, 1971.
- **Named After:** Nicarao (an indigenous chief).

## FAQs
**Where is Nicaragua located?**
Nicaragua is located in Central America and is part of the North American continent. It shares land borders with Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, while also having maritime borders with Colombia.

**What is the capital and population of Nicaragua?**
The capital city is Managua. The population has grown significantly over the last century, with recent estimates indicating approximately 6.7 million inhabitants in 2024 and a projected 7 million in 2025.

**Who is the current leader of Nicaragua?**
Daniel Ortega serves as both the head of state and head of government, a position he has held since January 10, 2007. Previous leaders in recent history include Enrique Bolaños, Arnoldo Alemán, and Violeta Chamorro.

**What currency is used in Nicaragua?**
The official currency is the Nicaraguan córdoba, which has been in use since 1991. Prior to this, the country used the Nicaraguan peso from 1878 until 1912.

**What languages are spoken in Nicaragua?**
While Spanish is the official language, the country recognizes and utilizes several regional and indigenous languages. These include Miskito, Rama, Moskitian Creole, Matagalpa, Subtiaba, Chorotega, Nicaraguan Sign Language, Ulwa, and Mayangna.

**What international organizations is Nicaragua a member of?**
Nicaragua is a member of the United Nations (since 1945), the World Trade Organization, and the Organization of American States. It also belongs to specialized agencies like UNESCO, the World Health Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank group, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

## Why It Matters
Nicaragua serves as a vital geographic and ecological bridge within the Central American isthmus, connecting North and South America. Its strategic location influences regional trade and migration routes, while its extensive coastlines on the Pacific and Caribbean make it a key player in maritime affairs. The nation's complex political history and diplomatic relations, such as its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia or its shifting ties with Taiwan and China, highlight its unique stance in global geopolitics. Culturally, the preservation of multiple indigenous languages like Miskito, Rama, and Mayangna underscores its rich anthropological heritage and diversity.

## Notable For
- **Indigenous Nomenclature:** The country is named after Nicarao, a historical indigenous chief who encountered Spanish explorers.
- **Tourism Branding:** Utilizes the tourism slogan "Unica. Original!"
- **Currency Transition:** Replaced the Nicaraguan peso with the córdoba in 1991 to stabilize the economy.
- **Geographic Extremes:** Home to Cerro Mogotón, the highest point in the country, and shares the Gulf of Fonseca with Honduras and El Salvador.
- **Linguistic Diversity:** Recognizes Nicaraguan Sign Language as a used language alongside Spanish and various indigenous languages such as Ulwa and Subtiaba.
- **Diplomatic Shifts:** Notably switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People's Republic of China in December 2021.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American isthmus by area, covering 130,340 square kilometers. It is geographically defined by its coordinates, approximately 13°N latitude and 85°W longitude. The nation is bounded to the north by Honduras and to the south by Costa Rica, while also sharing a maritime border with Colombia. Nicaragua is located entirely within the North American continent and is a constituent part of both Central America and Latin America.

The country's topography includes the highest point, Cerro Mogotón, situated on the border with Honduras. The lowest point is at sea level along the Caribbean Sea. Nicaragua features diverse physical characteristics, including access to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The nation is located within the America/Managua time zone, observing UTC−06:00 year-round.

### Government and Politics
Nicaragua is a sovereign state classified as a republic. The executive branch is headed by the President of Nicaragua, who serves as both the head of state and head of government. Daniel Ortega has held this office since January 10, 2007. Previous heads of government in the recent era include Violeta Chamorro (1990–1997), Arnoldo Alemán (1997–2002), and Enrique Bolaños (2002–2007). The legislative body is the National Assembly of Nicaragua.

The country's inception is recorded as 1821, marking its independence. It succeeded the "State of Nicaragua" and the historical region of Mosquitia. Nicaragua maintains diplomatic relations with various nations, including Russia, Mexico, and the United States. Notably, it maintains relations with the Republic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In December 2021, Nicaragua established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, ending relations with Taiwan.

### International Relations and Memberships
Nicaragua is an active participant in the international community. It became a member of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. The country is also a member of the World Trade Organization, the Organization of American States (since 1948), and the Central American Common Market (since 1961).

Nicaragua participates in numerous specialized agencies and international financial institutions, including:
- **World Bank Group:** International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1946), International Development Association (1960), International Finance Corporation (1956), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (1992).
- **Other Organizations:** UNESCO (1952), International Telecommunication Union (1926), Universal Postal Union (1882), World Health Organization, and Interpol (1965).

### Demographics and Population
The population of Nicaragua has seen consistent growth over the last century. Census data shows a population of 501,849 in 1906, rising to 5,142,098 in the 2005 census. Recent World Bank data estimates the population at 6,217,581 in 2017 and approximately 6,676,948 in 2024, with a projection of 7,005,764 for 2025.

Demographic indicators include:
- **Birth Rate:** 20.018 per 1,000 people (2022).
- **Death Rate:** 4.655 per 1,000 people (2022).
- **Total Fertility Rate:** Estimated at 2.264 children per woman (2014).
- **Life Expectancy:** Approximately 75 years (2022).
- **Human Development Index (HDI):** 0.667 (2021).

The population is distributed between urban and rural areas, with urban populations slightly exceeding rural ones in recent years (4.1 million urban vs 2.8 million rural in 2022).

### Language and Culture
The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish. However, the country boasts a rich linguistic landscape that includes several indigenous and Creole languages:
- **Indigenous Languages:** Miskito, Rama, Matagalpa, Subtiaba, Chorotega, Ulwa, and Mayangna.
- **Creole:** Moskitian Creole.
- **Sign Language:** Nicaraguan Sign Language.

The demonym for residents is "Nicaraguan," though variations exist in numerous languages, including "Nikaraguvänan" (Swedish), "Nikaraguano" (Spanish alternative), and "ニカラグア人" (Japanese). The culture of Nicaragua is a distinct entity, and the nation promotes itself with the tourism slogan "Unica. Original!" The country is named after Nicarao, a 16th-century indigenous chief.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The economy of Nicaragua utilizes the Nicaraguan córdoba as its official currency, a status held since 1991. Previously, the Nicaraguan peso was used from 1878 to 1912. The country's nominal GDP was approximately $15.67 billion USD in 2022.

Key infrastructure and economic details include:
- **Central Bank:** Central Bank of Nicaragua.
- **VAT Rate:** 15%.
- **Standard of Living:** Gini coefficient was recorded at 46.2 in 2014.
- **Electricity:** Mains voltage is 120V at 60Hz, utilizing NEMA 1-15 and NEMA 5-15 plug types.
- **Transport:** Driving is on the right side of the road.
- **Communications:** The country code is +505, and the top-level internet domain is .ni.
- **Emergency Numbers:** Police (118), Fire (115 or 120), Ambulance (128).

### Symbols and Identity
Nicaragua's national symbols reflect its history and sovereignty.
- **Flag:** The current flag, featuring the coat of arms, was adopted on August 27, 1971. Previous flags were used during various periods, including the Federal Republic of Central America (1823–1839) and distinct designs in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
- **Coat of Arms:** The coat of arms of Nicaragua serves as a national emblem.
- **Anthem:** The national anthem is "Salve a ti," also referred to as "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" or by the Welsh-derived title "Henffych i ti, Nicaragwa."
- **Motto:** The tourism motto "Ymddiriedwn yn Nuw" (Welsh for "We trust in God") appears in records alongside the tourism slogan "Unica. Original!"

### Identifiers and Classification
Nicaragua is classified under various international standards and databases:
- **ISO 3166-1:** Alpha-2 code NI, Alpha-3 code NIC, numeric code 558.
- **IOC Code:** NCA.
- **M49 Code:** 558.
- **GS1 Country Code:** 743.
- **Maritime Identification Digits:** 350.
- **Wikidata ID:** Q27110 (implied by context links), though the entry explicitly links to Data:Nicaragua.map and specific knowledge base IDs.

The entity is widely cataloged in library and authority systems, including the Library of Congress (n80009698), VIAF (140638485), GND (4042050-4), and ISNI (0000000123694891). It is also the subject of extensive encyclopedic entries, ranging from the Encyclopædia Britannica to the Catholic Encyclopedia and the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary.

## References

1. [Source](https://rulers.org/ruln2.html#nicaragua)
2. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/nicaragua)
3. BnF authorities
4. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/northamerica)
5. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
6. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Americas/NICARAGUA)
7. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
8. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/nicaragua)
9. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
10. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
11. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=217)
12. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
13. [Source](http://icdo.org/who-we-are/members/member-states.html)
14. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/nicaragua)
15. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
16. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
17. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parties_to_the_Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)
18. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
21. FIPS 10-4
22. Virtual International Authority File
23. datos.bne.es
24. MusicBrainz
25. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
26. 1906 Nicaraguan census
27. 1920 Nicaraguan census
28. 1940 Nicaraguan census
29. 1950 Nicaraguan census
30. World Bank Open Data
31. 1963 Nicaraguan census
32. 1971 Nicaraguan census
33. 1995 Nicaraguan census
34. 2005 Nicaraguan census
35. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
36. [Source](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nicaragua/)
37. [Nicaragua Population 2025](https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/nicaragua)
38. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI)
39. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
40. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
41. The National Terminology Database for Irish
42. [Nicaragüenc-a. The IEC Dictionary of the Catalan Language](https://dlc.iec.cat/results.asp?txtEntrada=nicarag%FCenc&operEntrada=0)
43. [ésAdir > Nicaragua](https://esadir.cat/Toponims/Toponims_del_mon/America/Nicaragua)
44. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
45. BBC Things
46. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
47. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
48. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
49. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
50. BabelNet