Nicaragua

Nicaragua
State
Flag
Nickname(s): TBD
Motto(s): TBD
Anthem: TBD
Capital	Managua
Government
• Governor	Geovanni Valverde (AD)
• Vice Governor	Daniela Urbina (AD)
• Initiativators	Juanita Bélgica (AD) Felix Jarquin (AD) Cesar Estrada (PSD) Maritza Orozco (PSD) Alfonso Castellon (N)
• Delegates	12 delegates
Area
• Land	56,094 km2 (21,658 sq mi)
Population (2020)
• Total	5,161,273
Legislature	Nicaragua State Assembly
Upper house	House of Councilors
Lower house	House of Deputies

Nicaragua, officially the Federal State of Nicaragua (Spanish: Estado Federal de Nicaragua), is a state located in Central America. It is the TBD state in terms of area and the fifth most populous state in the country. The capital and largest city of Nicaragua is Managua. It is bordered by Victoria and Honduras in the north, Zelaya in the east, Pacific Ocean in the west, and Punta and Costa Rica in the south.

It was originally inhabited by many indigenous people since the ancient times and Nicaragua became a part of the Spanish Empire with almost 200 years. It became a part of First Mexican Empire in 1821, a part of the United Provinces of Central America in 1823, and it became an independent republic in 1838. After some several coups, José Santos Zelaya was elected as president in 1893 and he reformed the country at that time and he also acquired Mosquito Coast (now parts of Honduras and Zelaya) from the British Empire. By the support of Sierra, the Nicaragua Canal was completed its construction in 1919 during the presidency of Luis Filipe Estrada. From 1937 until 1979, the Salazar family ruled the Nicaragua and their power was began by Oscar Salazar. The Central American crisis was began in 1979 as the Landonist revolution began in the country. In 1985, the Treaty of Sonsonate was signed to end the war in Central America and Nicaragua became a federal state itself. Jorge Castellon became the interim governor of Nicaragua in 1986 but he lost to Carlos Escalante in the same position in 1987 elections. There are some territorial changes that happened in the state. The eastern part of Nicaragua became a federal state under the name of Zelaya in 1996 after a plebiscite while the department of Chinandega became a part of newly-created state of Victoria in 2002.

Etymology

There are two possible theories on how the name "Nicaragua" originated. The first theory is that the name was coined by the Spanish colonists and it is originated from the name Nicarao, who was the chieftain of a powerful tribe encountered by Gil González Dávila in 1522. This theory holds that the name Nicaragua was formed from Nicarao and agua (Spanish for "water"). The second theory is that the country's name comes from Nahuatl words: nic-anahuac, which meant "Anahuac reached this far" ornican-nahua, which meant "here are the Nahuas".

Geography

Climate

Temperature varies the seasons in Nicaragua and it depends on a function of elevation. The tierra cliente, or "hot land" are areas that have density of sea level to about 750 meters (2,461 ft) of elevation. Daytime temperatures average 30 to 33 °C (86 to 91 °F), and night temperatures drop to 21 to 24 °C (69.8 to 75.2 °F) most of the year. The tierra templada, or "temperate land" are the central highlands, where elevations range between 750 and 1,600 meters (2,461 and 5,249 ft). Daytime temperatures are mild (24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F), and nights are cool (15 to 21 °C (59 to 70 °F)). Tierra fria, the "cold land" are areas that have elevations above 1,600 meters (5,249 ft), is found only on and near the highest peaks of the central highlands. Daytime averages in this region are 22 to 24 °C (71.6 to 75.2 °F), with nighttime lows below 15 °C (59 °F).

Government and politics

Legislative

Nicaragua is the only federal state of Central Aerica that have a bicameral legislation. The Nicaragua State Assembly is the bicameral legislative body of the federal state. The upper house, House of Councilors consists of 18 seats, 3 seats were appointed for every region. The lower house, House of Deputies consists of 35 members, 5 seats were appointed by the governor as representes for statewide at-large while each of the 14 departments of the state including the city of Managua elected 2 seats. Members of the upper house are elected every three years while the members of the lower house are elected every two years. The Democratic Alliance and the Social Democratic Party have dominated the two legislation, holding the majority of seats with the Nationalist Party being a constant opposition party.

Administrative divisions

Nicaragua is divided into 14 departments and 1 special city and the departments are subdivided into municipalities.

No	Name	Seat	Region
1	Boaco	Boaco	Remates
2	Carazo	Jinotepe	Concepción
3	Chontales	Juigalpa	Rio San Juan
4	Estelí	Estelí	Occidental
5	Granada	Granada	Concepción
6	Jinotega	Jinotega	Las Segovia
7	León	León	Occidental
8	Madriz	Somoto	Las Segovia
9	Managua	Sandino	Managua
10	Masaya	Masaya	Concepción
11	Matagalpa	Matagalapa	Remates
12	Nueva Segovia	Ocotal	Las Segovia
13	Rivas	Rivas	Concepción
14	San Juan	San Carlos	Rio San Juan
15	Managua Special City	N/A	Managua

Political party strength

In 1987, the state were dominated by the Democratic Alliance during the governorship of Carlos Escalante due to the stronger support of the former rebel groups who fought during the Central American crisis but it became a Nationalist state after the victory of Victoria Pacheco in 1993 elections. The Nationalists ruled the state from 1993 until 2005. The state is ruled again by the Democratic Alliance with the help the Social Democrats.

Nationalist stronghold have traditionally been held in the departments of Chontales, San Juan, and Rivas. Boaco historically leaned Nationalist, but has shifted into the Social Democrats. Democratic Alliance stronghold are in the northern departments of Nicaragua except Nueva Segovia. The department of Masaya and Nueva Segovia have a Social Democrats stronghold. The Christian Democratic Union voters have concentrated in Managua (including Managua Special City), Carazo, and Granada.

Symbols

Insignia	Symbol	Binomial nomenclature
Official state bird	Guardabarranco	Eumomota superciliosa
Official state fish	Moga	Hypsophrys nicaraguensis
Official state flower	Sacuanjoche	Plumeria
Official state song	Salve a ti, Nicaragua	N/A
Official state tree	Madroño	Calycophyllum candidissimum