Nicaragua Country Information
Nicaragua got its name after its indigenous people, the Nicarao Indian tribe, whom the Spaniards met when they were on their conquest.
Location
The Central American state is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Its neighbor in the north is Honduras, in the south Costa Rica.
Time zone
The time difference between Nicaragua and Germany is -6 hours.
Geography
Nicaragua has a north-south extension of over 450 km, its width measures between 500 km in the north and 200 km in the south. The 130,700 square kilometer state is divided by five higher mountain ranges that run from west to east to northeast. The ridges reach heights of 700 – 1,800 m. In the east, the mountainous area is followed by a wide plain, which ends on the Caribbean coast in lagoons, dunes and spits. In the west, a 240 km mountain range, which consists of volcanic cones, runs parallel to the coast. In the south, a depression stretches across the country, in which the 8,400 square kilometer Lake Nicaragua is located.
History
In its early history, Nicaragua was populated by various Indian tribes, including the Nicarao, which gave it its name. In 1502 Columbus discovered the country and in 1522 the conquest by Gonzales de Avila began. Subsequently it belonged to the General Captaincy of Guatemala. In 1821 it gained independence from the Spanish crown. From 1821 to 1823 it belonged to the Mexican Empire, then to the Central American Federation until 1839. The ensuing civil wars caused the USA to occupy the country from 1909 to 1926. In 1936 the Somoza family succeeded with the help of the USAto the power that ruled the country through dictatorship. This period of exploitation of the land and the population was ended by the struggle of the national liberation front in 1979. After the fall of the Somoza family, their leader Augusto César Sandino and his supporters formed a junta that was to rule the country temporarily. In the elections of the following years, however, conservative parties won the presidency. It was not until 2006, after 16 years, that the Sandinista government came back to power. This is striving to transform Nicaragua into a socialist state.
Flora and fauna
The mountain slopes of Nicaragua are made up of pine forests, in the eastern lowlands there are even larger closed areas of rainforest, on the coasts the typical mangrove and swamp forests. Jaguars, pumas, ocelots, monkeys, various reptile species and numerous species of birds such as parrots, hummingbirds and pelicans can still be found in the more remote areas.
Business
The most important branches of the economy are agriculture and fishing, the processing of agricultural products and the textile industry. Beef, fish, seafood and coffee are exported. The tourism industry is also a growth market.
Population
Nicaragua has 6 million residents, of which about 90% live in the Pacific and in the area around the capital Managua. 70% of the population are mestizo, mixed race between Indians and whites, 18% are white, about 3% are still pure-blooded Indians. 9% are of African descent. In addition, minorities of 30,000 Arabs and 8,000 Chinese immigrants live in Nicaragua . religion
The proportion of the Roman Catholic population is 80%, that of the Protestant population 20%.
Language
The official language is Spanish, otherwise Creol and various Indian languages are spoken.
Food and drink
– Gallopinto: fried rice with black beans, served with eggs (breakfast)
– Platanos: fried bananas as a side dish
– Mondongo: tripe soup
– Papas a la Crema: Potatoes in cream sauce as a side dish
– Vigorón: steamed yucca with fried pork rind and coleslaw, served on a banana leaf
– Quesillos: tortilla filled with soft cheese and onions
Turtles and their eggs as well as iguanas are often offered as delicacies on the markets.
Natural soft drinks are available in many restaurants. These are fruit juices that are served with water and ice cubes. Even the coffee and rum Nicaragua are truly delicious.
Entry
To enter Nicaragua, travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after arrival. You also need to purchase a tourist card, which currently costs 10 USD. No visa is required for a tourist stay of less than 90 days.
Medical advice
Current information on vaccinations can be obtained from your family doctor or on the website of the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM).
Security / drugs
In Nicaragua, the usual safety measures should be taken when traveling; lonely walks should be avoided, especially at night. You should also not bring large amounts of cash with you, and photos and cell phones etc. should not be carried openly. Current travel advice can also be found at https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/
Drug possession and trafficking are punishable by severe penalties.
Addresses
Foreign Office
In Germany https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/
In Austria https://www.bmaa.gv.at/
In Switzerland https://www.eda.admin.ch/
Frequently asked questions about Nicaragua
What are the entry requirements for Nicaragua?
For tourist trips of up to 90 days, no entry visa is required for German citizens with a passport that is valid for 6 months after entry. However, a tourist card is required upon entry. This currently costs $ 10.00 plus an entry fee of $ 2.00. Upon departure, the fee of US $ 2.00 is also required. Visit rctoysadvice for Nicaragua Travel Guide.
What vaccinations do you need to travel to Nicaragua?
No compulsory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany; proof of a valid yellow fever vaccination is required for entry from a yellow fever area. This applies to all travelers from the age of one. In addition, it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid for long-term stays. We definitely recommend taking out health insurance abroad with repatriation.
