Nicaragua+-+Joe+Dunn

= República de Nicaragua = toc

The Flag of Nicaragua: Officially adopted in 1971

The blue stripes on the top and bottom, represent the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean and the central white stripe represents peace between the Central American countries. The equilateral triangle represents equality between the several tribes and people of spanish descent, and the five volcanoes inside represent the relationship between the Central American countries, they could erupt at any moment but instead lie dormant in peace.

= Demographics =

Population: 5,995,928

GNP: 4.97 billion dollars

GDP: 2.57 billion dollars

Major Imports: Oil (crude and refined), medicines, cars, palm oil, corn seeds, and various beverages

Major Exports/Resources: Coffee, beef, shrimp, tobacco, lobster, sugar, gold, and peanuts

Date of Spanish Colonization: 1524

Capital: Managua

Capital Location: Managua lies in the western part of the country, just shy of 50 miles off the coast. It is in between Granada and Léon two rival cities that often believe they should be the capitals, Managua was the compromise as it lies between them.

Managua Population: approximately 1,600,000

Type of Government: Republic

Land Area: 46,430 sq. miles As you can see in this geographical map, Nicaragua is bordered to the North by Honduras, and to the South by Costa Rica. The West coast lies on the Pacific Ocean where some of the nicest beaches in the country are. Finally to the East is the Caribbean Sea, on the Caribbean side there are many small islands that are popular tourists attractions, including the Corn Islands off the East coast.

= National Anthem = media type="youtube" key="W_oppAlORos" width="420" height="315" ¡Salve a ti, Nicaragua! En tu suelo ya no ruge la voz del cañón, ni se tiñe con sangre de hermanos tu glorioso pendón bicolor.
 * Spanish Lyrics:

Brille hermosa la paz en tu cielo, nada empañe tu gloria inmortal, ¡que el trabajo es tu digno laurel y el honor es tu enseña triunfal! || English Lyrics: Hail to thee, Nicaragua! On thy land roars the voice of the cannon no more, nor does the blood of brothers now stain thy glorious bicolor banner.

Let peace shine beautifully in thy sky, and nothing dim thine immortal glory, for work is thy well earned laurel and honor is thy triumphal emblem! || = = = Native Population = The native population of Nicaragua included 7 major tribes, the Garifuna, Mayangna, Miskito, Rama, and the Subtiaba. In 1524 with the coming of the Spanish conquistadors their numbers went into a steep decline. However they managed to survive the colonization and there numbers now comprise 5% of todays population. However the majority of them are Christian and Spanish speaking as they were forced to convert or die. The Nicaraguan tribes spoke many different languages and overall the spanish language helped unite them. Not all of the colonizations were bloody however some were peaceful as the tribes were happy to convert over to christianity.

Beliefs

Garifuna- deeply rooted in spiritualism they believed in the power of spirits ranging from passed ancestors to nature spirits. They revered these spirits and took part in many ceremonies to honor them.

Mayangna- also deeply spiritual they are lead by Sukias or witch doctors. Their remoteness was the reason for keeping their religion only about 2% of the 15,000 are Christian. To enter their territories you must have permission from tribal elders.

Miskito- quickly accepted Christianity with the coming of the Spaniards. Little is known about their original beliefs other than it's roots in spiritualism. The primary mission is the Moravian Church which is kind of a melting pot of Catholic and Protestant beliefs . Rama- one of the smaller tribes they live on the Rama Cay island in the Caribbean Sea and consist of only about 900 people. They are also predominately Moravian, none of there original religion is know to this day as they gave up all ties to their religion when they converted.

Subtiaba- 70% christian and 30% Moravian, the Subtiaba peoples original beliefs were in nature spirits, and evil spirits that tried to harm them through natural disasters.

= Government =

The Nicaraguan government is a republic consisting of executive, judicial, electoral, and legislative branches. The supreme court and supreme electoral council are both run by heads selected by the president. The president is the head of state and government. according to the Nicaraguan constitution presidential terms last 5 years and a single person can have two terms. However Danial Ortega, age 67, the current president, ratified the constitution and has now had 3 terms. He can now have as many terms as the people vote for him.

= Education =

Nicaragua went on a campaign to improve their poor literacy rate from 1980-1989. This campaign involved the re-education of adults as well as a reinforced education for current students. In the graph above you can see the estimated literacy rate for big cities in Nicaragua. The blue bars seen are the initial percentiles before the 1980-1989 campaign and the white bars are the percentiles after the campaign. This campaign brought the estimated literacy rate of Nicaragua up to 79%. Universities


 * ||~ [[image:http://www.4icu.org/i/sort.gif align="top" caption="Sort by 2013 University Web Ranking" link="http://www.4icu.org/ni/"]] ||~  ||   ||~   ||
 * 1 [|Universidad Nacional Agraria] || Managua ||
 * 2 [|INCAE Business School, Nicaragua] || Managua ... ||
 * 3 [|Universidad Centroamericana] || Managua ||
 * 4 [|Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, Managua] || Managua ||
 * 5 [|Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria] || Managua ||
 * 6 [|Universidad Americana] || Managua ||
 * 7 [|Universidad Politecnica de Nicaragua] || Managua ... ||
 * 8 [|Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Nicaragua, León] || León ||
 * 9 [|Universidad Thomas More] || Managua ||
 * 10 [|Universidad Catolica Redemptoris Mater] || Managua ||
 * 11 [|Universidad Iberoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnologia] || Managua ||
 * 12 [|Universidad de Ciencias Comerciales] || Managua ... ||
 * 13 [|Universidad de las Regiones Autónomas de la Costa Caribe Nicaragüense] || Managua ... ||
 * 14 [|Universidad de Managua] || Managua ||
 * 15 [|Universidad Evangelica Nicaraguense MLK] || Managua ... ||
 * 16 [|Universidad Centroamericana de Ciencias Empresariales] || Managua ||
 * 17 [|Universidad Central de Nicaragua] || Managua ||
 * 18 [|Universidad Católica Agropecuaria del Trópico Seco] || Estelí ||
 * 19 [|Universidad de las Américas] || Managua ||
 * 20 [|Universidad Paulo Freire] || Managua ||
 * 21 [|Universidad Tecnológica La Salle] || León ||
 * 22 [|Universidad Cristiana Autónoma de Nicaragua] || Managua ||
 * 23 [|Universidad Hispanoamericana] || Managua ||
 * 24 [|Universidad del Valle] || Managua ||
 * 25 [|Universidad Popular de Nicaragua] || Managua ||
 * 26 [|Universidad de Tecnología y Comercio] || Managua ||
 * 27 [|Universidad Internacional para el Desarrollo Sostenible] || Managua ||
 * 28 [|Bluefields Indian & Caribbean University] || Bluefields ||
 * 29 [|Universidad Nicaragüense de Ciencia y Tecnología] || Managua ||
 * 30 [|Universidad Martín Lutero] || Managua ||
 * 31 [|Universidad Técnica de Comercio] || Managua ||
 * 32 [|Universidad del Norte de Nicaragua] || Estelí ||
 * 33 [|La American University] || Managua ||
 * 34 [|Universidad Metropolitana] || Managua ||

= Holidays = Nicaragua celebrates the following holidays:New Year’s day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Labor Day, Independence Day, Immaculate Conception, and Three Kings Day.

**New Years Day(December 31-January 1)**- is a celebration loved in Nicaragua. On new years day they prepare feasts to be eaten after midnight. They then prepare stuffed men dressed in old clothes signifying the old year. They fill the man with gunpowder and hang him outside their houses. As the new year approaches they bring torches to the man and light him on fire. When it explodes the families hug, celebrate, and light of fireworks and fire crackers. They then move on to the first feast of the year and the first party of the year.

**Maundy Thursday(April 17)-** Maundy Thursday or holy Thursday is the celebration of Jesus's last supper. The people of Nicaragua prepare feasts for the day to symbolize the Last Supper.

**Good Friday(April 18)-** The people of Nicaragua observe Good Friday in the way all other Christians do. They first go to their local church for Friday mass, and when they get out they go home and do more prayers and such. They began preparing a feast, and while eating it they pray to Jesus and reflect on his death.


 * Labor Day(May 1)- ** Labor day in Nicaragua is the same as in the United States. They stay home as a family, and hold small parades and fireworks displays. Bigger cities like Managua hold large concerts that are often attended by the people of the surrounding area.


 * Nicaraguan Independence Day( September 15)- ** Nicaraguan Independence is celebrated for 15 days in the month of September. The final event on the 15th the actual independence day is celebrated through parades put on by the dancing bands of Nicaragua's schools. This day is also called San Jacinto day.
 * Immaculate Conception(~December 8)- ** Immaculate Conception is the celebration honoring the 'pure' conception of Jesus. This is a celebration in which there are public masses and a huge feast focusing on some of the countries most popular foods. This day is celebrated in many Christian based countries and is a public holiday in Nicaragua.


 * Three Kings Day(January 6)- ** A Spanish tradition, Three Kings Day is similar to Christmas however it is celebrated 12 days after December 25th. Three Kings Day celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings at Bethlehem. The kids of Nicaragua decorate shoes or small baskets and leave them on the foot of their bed. When they awake they find small trinkets, candy, and other assorted gifts stuffed into their shoes/baskets. They then feast, this feast does not consist of any particular food it just consists of whatever the family can afford/chooses.

= Food = The food in Nicaragua is mainly corn based, and often include onion garlic and various sweet peppers.
 * Gallo Pinto **

This traditional Nicaraguan dish is a staple for Nicaraguans. It consists of rice, beans, onion, sweet peppers and garlic fried together. It is often served with a side of meat.


 * Indio Viejo **

Indio Viejo is a thick soup consisting of meat(either pork or beef) tortillas and vegetables. To prepare the meat is thrown in to a pot whole with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and sweet peppers. It is left to boil in its own juices while the chef takes tortillas and water and grinds the two into a dough. When the meat gets to a certain point it is shredded, the chef then adds in the tortilla dough and orange juice. It is mixed together until it reaches the consistency of soup it is then served often with whole tortillas and gallo pinto.

**Tres Leches** A very common desert in Nicaragua is a cake prepared with three milks: milk, condensed milk, and cream. the three milks are mixed in with flour and eggs and then baked a vanilla meringue made with vanilla, cream, and sugar is whipped up while the cake is baking. It is put on top of the cake while it is still hot and often topped with strawberries or cherries.

= Travel =

Nicaragua has many locations of interest. These places are some of the most beautiful places in nicaragua and are often thought of as being some of the nicest travel destinations in the world.

Corn Islands tour media type="youtube" key="pnUTjZnCwY0" width="560" height="315" Managua tour (from "Adventures in Nicaragua" on dvd) media type="youtube" key="JCGM1K-afNo" width="420" height="315" = References =

"Universities in Nicaragua." //Www.4icu.org //. 4 International Colleges and Universities, n.d. Web. 28 May 2013.

//Managua (from the "Adventures in Nicaragua" DVD" // //video//. //Youtube.com //. N.p., 14 July 2007. Web. 24 May 2013.

//"Nicaragua-traditional Food." Vianica.com. Vianica.com, 22 May 2013. Web. 28 May 2013. //

//NATIONAL ANTHEM OF NICARAGUA. Digital image. Youtube.com. N.p., 6 June 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2013. //

//"National Anthem of Nicaragua." Kbears.com. Kbears.com, n.d. Web. 2 May 2013. //

//Nicaragua Map - Satellite Image. Digital image. Geology.com. Geology.com, 2 Mar. 2012. Web. 2 Mar. 2013. //

//Map of Nicaragua including roads, rivers, towns, and lakes. Digital image. Athaia.org. Athaia.org, 2 May 2013. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.//

"Managua, Nicaragua." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">ThinkQuest //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. Oracle Foundation, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.

"Geography." //Infoplease//. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 24 May 2013.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"Native American Tribes of Nicaragua." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Nicaragua Indian Tribes and Languages //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2013.