Estelí Department, Administrative department in northern Nicaragua
Estelí Department is an administrative region in northern Nicaragua that spreads across six municipalities with a mix of hilly terrain and farmland. The area features scattered rural villages and small towns connected by roads.
The region played a key role during the civil war in the late 1970s, when the department's capital city suffered heavy military fighting. After that conflict, the city was rebuilt and the region began to recover.
Tobacco growing shapes daily life here, and people work in cigar factories using methods passed down from Cuban traditions. You can see this craftsmanship in action as you walk through the working areas.
The area lies north of Managua along the main highway, making it relatively easy to reach. The best time to explore is during the dry season, when roads are in better condition.
The regional flag displays three horizontal stripes in red, white, and green, but with proportions different from other tricolor designs. This makes it instantly recognizable and clearly sets it apart from similar flags in the region.
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