Nicaragua

2. Nicaragua Republica de Nicaragua Capital: Managua

4. History The first European to ever set foot in Nicaragua was Columbus. Later all of Nicaragua would be conquered by Spanish explorers called conquistadors. There are even Spanish settlements found in Nicaragua that date back to 1520. Nicaragua was controlled by Spain until 1821. With it’s independence from Spain, Nicaragua joined the United Provinces if Central America Nicaragua chose to become an entirely separate republic, which it did so in 1838.

5. Population 5.7 Million People with a 2 percent annual growth 69% of those people are Mestizo, which is a mix between h and Indian 9 percent are Black 17 percent are European The remaining 5 percent are Pure Indigenous (36 percent of it’s population is younger than 14)

6. Climate Nicaragua is about the size of Iowa, and is also the largest country in Central America. • Only about 20 percent of the land is able to be cultivated. • Humidity is usually high, and the average temperature is usually 80 degrees. • Dry season starts November and ends in May. • Every so often Nicaragua will have destructive hurricanes and tidal waves.

7. General Attitude • Nicaraguans greet each other with a “nice to meet you” or “how are you” • Often it is polite to ask of the families health • Kissing the cheek is an acceptable way to great a female if you are a male, and vice-versa. • Nicaraguans are very sociable, honest, and have a good humor. • They are kind, and will help if someone requires it. • Politics is the most favorable of subjects. • Social status is measured by your material possessions.

8. Education • School is mandatory from ages six to thirteen. • About 1/3 of those students complete their education. • Students must pay for all their supplies: Uniforms, pencils, paper, etc. This is usually a deterrent for poor families because they cannot afford to extend their money. • Usually the students who complete secondary school will go on to college. • Nicaragua has 5 private and 5 state universities.

9. Government Nicaragua has fifteen provinces, and two regions near the Atlantic coast. The current President is Daniel Ortega Legislators are elected for 5 year terms It’s biggest political parties are Liberal Constitutionalist Party, Sandinista National Liberation Front , and the Conservative Party. The voting age is 16

10. Major Products and Resources • Nicaraguans main export are bananas, coffee, sugar, beef and tobacco • 40 percent of the Labor force works in agriculture. • Relies on it’s agricultural contributions, but it does invest itself in industry such as, fishing, tourism, etc. While Nicaragua has a minimalistic economy now, it has a massive potential for growth, it is only in it’s current situation because of the Sandinista Era, and also because of it’s natural disasters.

11. Dietary Like most Central American people, or people with Spanish descent, Nicaraguan people enjoy eating rice and beans, even though they can afford much else. Wealthier families like to add a meat or a vegetable into their rice and beans. Another variation of rice and beans would be Gallo Pinto which are rice and beans fried together with spices like onion, cilantro and peppers. Nicaraguans today hold the record for the largest Gallo Pinto.

12. Gallo Pinto

13. Recreation and Tourism • Recreational Activates include baseball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer • Teens Socialize until about 9:pm • Dances are held regularly at schools Friday and Saturday nights. • Nicaraguans love to dance, so most social events have at least some dancing • Other common activities would involve going to the beach, going to clubs, etc.

14. Recreation and Tourism • Tourism in Nicaragua is exploding, it has increased by 70% over the last several years, growing at rates of 10-16%. • It’s expected to become the largest industry for Nicaragua in the upcoming years. • Every year 60,000 U.S citizens visit Nicaragua either due to business, tourism, or just visiting relatives. • The United States has at least 5,300 of it’s citizens living in Nicaragua right now. • Nicaragua’s main tourist attractions are, beaches, scenic routes, the architecture.

15. Music/Art/Literature/ArchitectureFamous People Seeking to restore Nicaragua's cultural identity, Rubén Darío made people jump on “the bandwagon” and made people realize that poetry was fun. For his efforts poetry has become a national pastime. Arlen Siu is acknowledged as one of the first martyrs for the revolution. One of the best known “celebrities” is Bianca Jagger, which is also known as the former wife of Mick Jagger. Sergio Ramírez Mercado was a published writer, and many of his works were acclaimed, he was also vice president for a number of years.

16. Nicaraguan Current News Article The possibility of a U.S recession has Nicaragua worried because Nicaragua's linked to the United States. The article goes on to say that while the recession could have negative impact on Nicaragua, it is not a real concern to the general people, because Nicaragua is a big tobacco trader with the U.S. The government is well assured, if things were to get “dire” in Nicaragua that the U.S government would re-inject cash into the economy until the economy recovered on it’s own. Link To News Article

17. BIB • Hear Their National Anthem “Hail to You, Nicaragua.” • News Article