Nicaragua Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central America.

Area
120,254 sq km (46,430 sq miles).

Population
5.7 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
47.4 per sq km.

Capital
Managua.
Population: 1.37 million (official estimate 2003).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.
Head of State: President Daniel Ortega since 2007. Recent history: Former president Daniel Ortega beat conservative rival Eduardo Montealegre in the October 2006 presidential elections. Ortega previously led the country from 1979 to 1990, during which time around 50,000 people died in the civil war. His opponents are concerned he will take the country back to the days of the conflict, although he insists he has changed. The USA warned it may cut aid to Nicaragua should Ortega win, but it remains to be seen whether the Americans carry out this threat.

Language
Spanish. Along the Mosquito Coast (Costa de Mosquito), there are English-speaking communities in which African or mixed African and indigenous Indians predominate.

Religion
85 per cent Roman Catholic; 14 per cent Protestant.

Time
GMT - 6.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Telephone
Country code: 505. Outgoing international calls may be made via the international operator or through direct dialing.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Check with your provider before traveling. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
Internet cafes in Nicaragua provide public access to Internet and e-mail services.

Media
Nicaraguan media represents both pro- and anti-government views. There are several television networks and over 100 radio stations. Cable TV is available in most urban areas.

Post
Most larger towns have an Enitel telecommunications and postal office. Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730.

Press
• Main publications include the Confidencial, Nuevo Diario and La Prensa.

Radio
• Radio Nicaragua is state owned.
• Commercial stations include Radio Corporación and Radio Mundial.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
5 Apr Holy Thursday.
6 Apr Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
19 Jul Liberation Day.
14 Sep Battle of San Jacinto.
15 Sep Independence Day.
2 Nov All Souls’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
20 Mar Holy Thursday. 
21 Mar Good Friday.
1 May Labor Day.
19 Jul Liberation Day.
14 Sep Battle of San Jacinto.
15 Sep Independence Day.
2 Nov All Souls’ Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
A considerable number of local holidays are also observed.

Contact Information:

Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR)
Hotel Crowne Plaza, 1 cuadra al sur, 1 cuadra al oeste, Managua, Nicaragua
Tel: 254 5191.
Website: www.visit-nicaragua.com

Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in the UK
Vicarage House, Suite 31, 58-60 Kensington Church Street, London W8 4DB, UK
Tel: (020) 7938 2373.
Website: www.intur.gob.ni/english/info/paisesvisa.html (visa information only)
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1230.

Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua in the USA
1627 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 939 6570.


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