COUNTRY INFORMATION |
Introduction |
Bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Nicaragua lies at the heart of Central America. After more than 40 years of dictatorship, the Sandinista revolution in 1978 led to social reforms, but also to 11 years of civil war, which almost destroyed the economy. Right-wing parties have held power since the Sandinistas lost elections in 1990. Despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the economy is slowly recovering. |
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Climate |
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The climate is tropical and often violent, as evidenced by seasonal hurricanes, such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998. |
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People |
Languages |
Spanish, English Creole, Miskito |
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URBAN/RURAL POPULATION DIVIDE |
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The Caribbean regions, which in 1987 achieved limited autonomy, are isolated from the more populous Pacific regions. The indigenous Miskito tribes and the descendants of Africans, brought over by Spanish colonists in the 18th century to work the plantations, are concentrated along the Caribbean coast, where English Creole is widely spoken. The Sandinista revolution improved the status of women through changes in the legal system and the incorporation of women into economic and political life. However, poverty and lack of permanent employment have since forced many women into prostitution. |
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Economy |
GNP (US$) |
2053
|
M |
GNP World rank |
136
|
|
Inflation |
11 |
% |
Unemployment |
11 |
% |
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StrengthsCoffee, sugar, and grain exports. Foreign aid and public and private reconstruction work after Hurricane Mitch will benefit tourism, energy, services, and construction. WeaknessesHeavy debt burden. Main exports subject to commodity price fluctuations. High unemployment. Poor energy supply and infrastructure. Lack of investment and diversification. Weak banks. Delays in privatization. Skewed land ownership and protracted disputes over property. Corruption. |
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Politics |
Lower house |
Last election |
2001 |
Next election |
2006 |
Upper house |
Last election |
Not applicable |
Next election |
Not applicable |
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Defeated in the 1990 and 1996 polls by right-wing parties, the FSLN underwent an internal crisis. The LA, dominated by the PLC, took office in 1997, promising to unite the country but it quickly became unpopular due to austerity measures and allegations of corruption. Two-party domination, strengthened by a controversial pact between the ruling PLC and FSLN in 2000, has weakened democracy. Enrique Bolanos of the PLC was elected president in 2001. |
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International Affairs |
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Main issues are debt relief in the wake of Hurricane Mitch, cooperation with neighboring countries for increased US trade access, and the treatment of over 300,000 Nicaraguan immigrants in Costa Rica. A free trade agreement with Mexico is important. A dispute over the common border with Costa Rica was resolved in 2000. Ongoing border and navigation rights disputes exist with Honduras and Colombia. |
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Defence |
Expenditure (US$) |
26 |
M |
Portion of GDP |
1 |
% |
|
Army |
127 main battle tanks (T-55) |
Navy |
5 patrol boats |
Airforce |
No combat aircraft |
Nuclear capab. |
None |
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FSLN forces once formed the basis of the army, which was cut from a civil war peak of 134,000 to 10,000 by 1995. The army is to be involved in more community-based roles focused on the defense of natural resources and mine clearance. Russia agreed in 2001 to help upgrade the military. |
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Resources |
Minerals |
Gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, tungsten, salt |
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Oil reserves (barrels) |
No data |
Oil production (barrels/day) |
Not an oil producer |
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Nicaragua has small quantities of gold and silver. New thermal generation projects are planned to overcome energy deficits. There is possible offshore oil. |
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Environment |
Protected land |
8 |
% |
Part protected land |
No data |
% |
|
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Deforestation over large areas and the widespread use of pesticides are major problems. |
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Communications |
Main airport |
Augusto C. Sandino International, Managua |
Passengers per year |
816054 |
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Motorways |
384
|
km |
Roads |
1818
|
km |
Railways |
0
|
km |
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Nicaragua lacks a Caribbean deepwater port. Hurricane Mitch damaged major roads and destroyed 35 key bridges. |
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International Aid |
Donated (US$) |
Not applicable
|
M |
Received (US$) |
562
|
M |
|
Hurricane Mitch damage produced new World Bank and IDB loans. Cuba, France, Finland, and Spain pardoned all or part of Nicaragua's debt. The USA and other Western creditors canceled outstanding obligations when the IMF included Nicaragua in the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative. |
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Health |
Life expectancy |
68 |
Life expect. World rank |
106 |
Population per doctor |
1111 |
Infant mortality (per 1000 births) |
33 |
|
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Principal causes of death |
Heart and intestinal infectious diseases, accidents, tuberculosis |
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The standard of health care improved substantially in the 1980s under the Sandanista government. However, real spending on health fell by 71% between 1988 and 1993, and still has to recover. |
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Education |
Literacy |
69 |
% |
Expend. % GNP |
4 |
%
|
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PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN FULL TIME EDUCATION |
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Primary |
100 |
% |
Secondary |
61 |
% |
Tertiary |
12 |
% |
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The Sandinista "Literacy Crusade" achieved dramatic results in the 1980s, but has long since died away. Student protests in recent years have been for increases in the education budget. |
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Criminality |
Crime rate trend |
Crime is rising |
|
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Murder |
24 |
per 100,000 population |
Rape |
24 |
per 100,000 population |
Theft |
525 |
per 100,000 population |
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Former combatants have menaced parts of central and northern regions. Violent crime is rising, as is drug-trafficking. |
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Wealth |
Cars |
3 |
per 1,000 population |
Telephones |
31 |
per 1,000 population |
Televisions |
69 |
per 1,000 population |
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A UNDP study in 1998 revealed that 44% of Nicaragua's population have to survive on the equivalent of less than US$1 a day. |
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Media |
Newspapers |
There are 8 daily newspapers, including La Prensa and El Nuevo Diario |
TV services |
7 services |
Radio services |
62 stations: 1 state-owned, 61 independent |
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Tourism |
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The civil war caused the near-collapse of tourism, and slow recovery has been interrupted by the damage caused by Hurricane Mitch. Foreign direct investment in the sector grew in 1997–1998. |
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History |
Nicaragua became independent in 1838. Guerrilla forces, led by Gen. Sandino, opposed the US marine presence in the early 1930s. - 1978–1990 FSLN ends 44-year Somoza dictatorship; civil war between FSLN and Contras.
- 1998 Hurricane Mitch devastates country.
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