Nicaragua, Central American country between Honduras and Costa Rica
Nicaragua is a Central American nation between Honduras and Costa Rica with Pacific and Caribbean coasts. The territory includes two large freshwater lakes and a chain of volcanoes along the western Pacific region.
Spanish conquistadors established the first permanent settlements in the 1520s and built colonial administrative centers in different parts of the territory. Independence came in 1821, followed by political upheavals throughout the 20th century.
The country takes its name from an indigenous leader called Nicarao who inhabited the area when the Spanish arrived. Many communities today still use traditional techniques for making pottery and hammocks, sold at markets across different regions.
The national currency córdoba circulates alongside the US dollar, which is widely accepted in larger cities and tourist areas. Spanish is the official language for communication throughout the territory.
The Bosawás Biosphere Reserve holds the second largest rainforest on the American continent after the Amazon. The protected area along the Honduran border remains largely undeveloped and harbors numerous endemic species.
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