Nicaragua :: essays research papers

NicaraguaThe area of Nicaragua is 50,193 sq. mi. The Nicaraguan highlands, with aelevation close to 2000 ft, fumble Nicaragua from the northwest to the south vitamin E.Several mountain ranges, the highest of which, the Cordillera Isabelia, reachesan elevation of more than 6890 ft, cut the highlands from east to west. In thewest is a great basin, or depression, containing two lakes, Nicaragua, thelargest in Central America, and Managua. The two are connected by the TipitapaRiver. A ambit of volcanoes, which are a contributory cause of localearthquakes, rises between the lakes and the peaceful coast. In the east, theCaribbean coastal plain known as the Costa de mosquitoes (Mosquito Coast)extends some 45 mi. inland and is partly overgrown with rain forest. The four heading rivers, the San Juan, Coco (Wanks), Grande, and Escondido, empty intothe Caribbean.The natural resources of Nicaragua are primarily agricultural. Deposits ofvolcanic material have enriched the soil, which is e xtremely fertile. Abouthalf the land is covered with forests. The hoidenish has some deposits of gold,silver, and copper.About 77% of the Nicaraguan population is mestizo (people of multiform white and subjective American descent), about 10% is white, and the re master(prenominal)der is NativeAmerican (4%) and black (9%). The population of Nicaragua is 3,745,000,yielding an overall density about 75 per sq. mi. Approximately 60% of thepopulation is concentrated in the occidental part of the country, and more than 55%is urban.Political Divisions and Principal CitiesNicaragua is divided into six regions and three special zones. Managua, with apopulation of 682,100, is the capital and commercial center. Len is animportant religious and cultural center. Granada is the terminus of the railwayfrom the main port of entry, Corinto, on the Pacific coast.Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua. approximately 90% of the Nicaraguanpeople are Roman Catholic nearly of the remainder are Protestant.As in other Latin American countries, the culture of Nicaragua reflects Spanishcultural patterns, influential since the colonial period, combined with an past Native American heritage. Nicaraguans hold many colorful celebrationsto commemorate local saints days and ecclesiastical events. The marimba isextremely popular, and ancient instruments such as the chirima (clarinet),maraca (rattle), and zul (flute) are common in rural areas. Dances fromcolonial quantify survive, as do fine examples of architecture.The coast of Nicaragua was sighted by Christopher capital of Ohio in 1502, but thefirst Spanish expedition, under Gil Gonzlez Dvila, did not arrive until 1522it established several Spanish settlements. A second conquistador, FranciscoFernndez de Crdoba, founded Granada in 1523 and Len in 1524.