Nicaragua is a combination of nature, mysticism, and authentic flavors that make it an ideal destination for everyone to visit, and that’s without even mentioning its affordable prices, culture, and friendly people.
Here are 10 things you may not have known about this Central American nation.
Land of lakes and volcanoes
Known for its volcanoes like San Cristóbal, Cerro Negro, Masaya, Mombacho, Maderas, Concepción… and lakes Cocibolca, Xolotlán, Apanás… Nationals and foreigners enjoy these natural beauties for adventure tourism, sun, and beach, nature, rural tourism… Sandboarding, island tours, surf, diving, and hiking are among the tourist’s favorite activities.
Home to four World Heritage Sites
The country is also home to four World Heritage Sites declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, these being the Ruins of León Viejo, León Cathedral, the language and culture of the Garifuna people and El Güegüense theatrical play.
It has colonial cities
León, Granada, and Ciudad Antigua were the first three cities established by the Spaniards after their arrival in Nicaragua. However, León and Granada are known as colonial cities for their architecture and culture, especially reflected in their historic center.
7 languages
As the country is home to mestizos, afro-descendants, and native peoples, it has various languages, most of which are concentrated in the Caribbean region, these being Creole English, Miskito, Mayangna, Rama, Ulwa, Garífuna, and Spanish, this last one is spoken in all the country.
Home to 7% of the world’s biodiversity
Nicaragua has around 7% of the planet’s biodiversity. Plants, vertebrates, fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, arthropods, molluscs, corals, and fungi are the existing species in the country. It has 68 ecosystems and plant
formations representing 60% of Central America.
Biosphere reserves
The country has three biosphere reserves recognized by UNESCO, these are Bosawás, Ometepe, and Río San Juan, which are home to a diversity of flora and fauna. The Caribbean region is also a biosphere reserve, declared by the country’s Parliament in
2021.
First Geopark in Central America is here
Since 2020, the Río Coco, a river located in the north of the country, is the first UNESCO Global Geopark in Central America. This site covers the municipalities of Somoto, Totogalpa, San Lucas, Las Sabanas, and San José de Cusmapa in the department of Madriz, covering nearly 1,000 square kilometers. It has 12 geosites of international geological and landscape relevance.
It is the birthplace of the father of Hispanic modernism
Nicaragua gave birth to one of the greatest exponents and revolutionaries of Spanish literature, Rubén Darío, who in life was a poet, journalist, and diplomat. Since 2016, he is a national hero.
The country has around 2,000 dishes
The cuisine of the country is a fusion of recipes based on corn and coconut. Each town has its own dish, drink, and dessert, the same for each occasion, festivities, or season of the year. Some of the best known are the gallopinto, nacatamal, vigorón,
rundown, among others.