Nicaragua

Geography:
Nicaragua is the country's largest but least populated of the Central American nations and borders Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. It is mountainous in the west, withfertile valleys. Two big lakes, Nicaragua and Managua, which are connected by the river Tipitapa.

History:
Nicaragua, which derives its name from the chief of the tribe of Indians in the area atthe time of the Spanish conquest, was colonized by the Spanish in 1522. The country gained its independence in 1838. For the next century, Nicaragua policy was dominated by competition for powerbetween the Liberals, which focused on the city of León, and the Conservatives, centered in Granada.
To back up its support of the new Conservative government in 1909, the U.S. sent a small detachmentof marines to Nicaragua from 1912 to 1925. The Bryan-Chamorro Treaty of 1916 (terminated in 1970) gave the U.S. an option on a canal route through Nicaragua and naval bases. U.S. Marines were sentagain to quell disorder after the 1924 elections. A guerrilla leader, Gen. César Augusto Sandino, fought the U.S. troops from 1927 until their withdrawal in 1933.

Capital: The capital of Nicaraguais Managua and is also the seat of government.

Government: Nicaragua is independent, free, sovereign, Unitarian and indivisible. It is a democratic, participative and representative republic. ThePresident is Daniel Ortega since 2007.

Population (2010 est.): Its population is 5,995,928 since 2010.

Currency:
Nicaragua has its own currency: the córdoba. The US dollar is also virtuallyeverywhere accepted. Often prices are based on dollars but quoted in córdobas. If you pay in dollars, you will receive your change in córdobas. Prices in córdobas are given using the letter 'c' and adollar sign (for example, C$100). The abbreviation for the Córdoba is NIO. Credit cards are accepted in most stores, hotels, and restaurants throughout the country (not in little towns and off-road...