Geography of Nicaragua – The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Nicaragua including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Nicaragua.
- Nicaragua is officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the largest country in the Central American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the northwest, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.
- Managua is the country’s capital and largest city and is also the third-largest city in Central America, behind Tegucigalpa and Guatemala City.
- Originally inhabited by various indigenous cultures since ancient times, the region was conquered by the Spanish Empire in the 16th century.
- Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821. The Mosquito Coast followed a different historical path, being colonized by the English in the 17th century and later coming under British rule. It became an autonomous territory of Nicaragua in 1860 and its northernmost part was transferred to Honduras in 1960.
- Nicaragua occupies a landmass of 130,967 km2 (50,567 sq mi), which makes it slightly larger than England. Nicaragua has three distinct geographical regions: the Pacific lowlands – fertile valleys which the Spanish colonists settled, the Amerrisque Mountains (North-central highlands), and the Mosquito Coast
Geography of Nicaragua
Region:
Central America
Area:
Ranked 96th
Capital:
Managua
Population:
6,486,201
Bordering Countries:
Nicaragua is bounded by Honduras to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Total Size:
130,370 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
12°6′N 86°14′W
World Region or Continent:
North America
General Terrain:
- Extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Geographical Low Point:
Pacific Ocean
Geographical High Point:
Mogotón
Climate:
- Nicaragua’s climate varies with altitude and season.
- The summer, or dry season, from mid-November to mid-May, is hot and dry, with cooler nights. Winter, better described as the rainy season, from mid-May to mid-November, is hot and humid, with short, heavy tropical showers that may occur daily, often accompanied by violent electrical storms.
- Streams flood in the rainy season and dry up the rest of the year.
- The average daily high temperature in Managua ranges from 79°F to 93°F.
- Nights are usually temperate.
- Temperatures in the mountains can dip as low as 61°F, while the east coast high may be a humid 84°F.
Major cities:
- Managua
- León
- Tipitapa
- Masaya
- Ciudad Sandino
- Chinandega
- Matagalpa
- Esteli
- Granada
Major Land forms:
- Its terrain is mostly coastal plains that eventually rise up to interior mountains. On the Pacific side of the country, there is a narrow coastal plain dotted with volcanoes. The climate of Nicaragua is considered tropical in its lowlands with cool temperatures at its higher elevations.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major Rivers:
- Río Amaka
- Río Carepicha
- Río Bambana
- Río Bocay
- Río Coco
- Río Escondido
- Río Grande de Matagalpa
- Río San Juan
- Río Kukalaya
- Río Kurinwás
- Río Mi
- Río Siquia
- Río Tipitapa
- Río Tuma
- Río Wawa
- River NÖamani
Major Lakes:
Lake Nicaragua
Natural Resources:
Natural Resources are Gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, and fish.
Major Geographical Features:
Topography:
- The Caribbean coast, known as the Mosquito (or Miskito) Coast or Mosquitia, consists of low, flat, wet, tropical forest, extending into pine savannas 80–160 km (50–100 mi) inland. The coastal lowland rises to a plateau covering about one-third of the total area.
Oceans:
The Pacific Ocean
Islands:
- Rama Cay
- Ometepe Island
- Solentiname Islands
- Islets of Granada
- Zapatera Island
- Island of Maracon
- Island San Fernado
- Island Maracarronicta
- El Carmen Island
- Santa Rosa Island
- Island Colorada
- Island de San Anderes
- Island Muncos
- Island Puerto del Bluff
- Venado Island
Mountain Ranges:
- Concepción
- Cosigüina
- Las Lajas
- Maderas
- Mogotón
- Mombacho
- Momotombo
- Cerro Negro
- Las Pilas
- Rota
- San Cristóbal Volcano
- Telica
- Zapatera
See Also:
References:
- Wikipedia – Geography of Nicaragua
- Countryreports.org – Geography of Nicaragua
- britannica.com – Geography of Nicaragua
- kids.nationalgeographic.com – Geography of Nicaragua
