León, Colonial municipality in western Nicaragua
León is a municipality in western Nicaragua that extends from plains near the Pacific coast to volcanic slopes. The territory includes several towns and the city of the same name, which serves as the administrative center, with wide streets and low colonial-era buildings.
Spanish colonists founded the settlement in 1524 at a different location, but they moved it to the current site in 1610 because of volcanic activity. Over the centuries, the city grew into an important center for education and politics in Nicaragua.
The municipality takes its name from the Spanish city of León and reflects its colonial roots. In the old town streets, students walk to university classes while locals gather in shaded courtyards of old buildings.
The city is best reached from the capital Managua, which is about an hour away by car. The area includes several natural sites and volcanoes that can serve as starting points for excursions.
The young Cerro Negro volcano lies within the municipality and visitors ride down its steep black ash slopes on wooden boards. This form of volcano boarding was invented in the late 1990s and is now one of the most unusual activities in the region.
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