Nicaragua: Everything to Know About Its Culture, History, and People

Nicaragua is known for being the largest country in Central America, bordered by Costa Rica and Honduras. It also shares maritime borders with Colombia and El Salvador, according to Nations Online.

Nicaragua occupies an area that is somewhat larger than half the size of the United Kingdom or slightly smaller than the state of New York. It also offers various climates and terrains, with Pico Mogoton being the highest mountain in the country.

Nicaragua is famous for having several volcanoes and lakes. The two largest freshwater lakes in Central America - Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua - can be found in the country.

Nicaragua History and People

Spain colonized the western region of the country. According to Every Culture, one story said Nicaragua's name is derived from an indigenous chief named Nicarao, who presided over a territory in southwestern of the country during the early 16th century. It was noted that Spaniards took his name for the country.

A related story said Nicarao took his name from his own people, who derived the name from the land's geographic location.

The meaning of the name of the country is "here united with water," according to Visit Nicaragua. Some noted that Nicaragua might be a combination of nic-atl-nahuac, which means "next to the water" in the Arawak language.

More than 70 percent of the population speak Spanish, the nation's official language. Aside from Spanish, the British occupation of Nicaragua also introduced many English words to the Spanish speakers. Its people also learned to adopt American slang during the period of U.S. Marines' presence in the country.

Nicaragua has indigenous peoples of the Caribbean lowlands, such as the Miskito, Rama, and Sumu, which all preserved their own tribal languages.

The Miskito is considered the largest minority group who have enjoyed greater autonomy compared to other indigenous tribes. They refer to Spanish-speaking Nicaraguans as "Los Espanoles."

Nicaragua had been part of Provincias Unidas del Centro de America, a federation of Central American provinces annexed to Mexico from 1823 until independence. International Living reported that Nicaraguans are generally passive people, with a "live and let live" motto in their mind.

Its food bears a similarity to the cuisines of Honduras and Guatemala while sharing some flavors and ingredients with Mexican food. Nicaraguans also eat tamales. However, they call their version nacatamal, which contains some unique features.

Nicaragua Culture and Tradition

Nicaragua's cultural tradition stems from writers and poets such as Ruber Dario. Salomón de la Selva, Azarías H. Pallais, and Alfonso Cortés are known as the "big three" who have also influenced other poets and novelists in the country.

Aside from its writers and poets, Nicaragua also prides itself on the churches of Leon as part of its cultural heritage. León Cathedral is one of the most significant historic landmarks in Nicaragua. It is among the largest cathedral in Central America.

León Cathedral, or the "Insigne and Royal Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary," is among the churches that keep a lot of history within their walls, according to UNESCO.

Visit Nicaragua noted that one of the most deeply rooted traditions of the Catholic culture of Nicaragua is the songs and prayers to Mary's conception. It has been celebrated throughout December of each year since 1857.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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