Nicaragua
Land of Lakes and Volcanoes
Nestled between Costa Rica and Honduras, as well as the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. The tropical country is home to the oldest colonial city in the Americas: Granada. She is divided into three departments: The Pacific Lowlands, Caribbean Lowlands, and Central Lowlands. Each region is defined by its geography as well as the level of development.
The Pacific Lowlands encompass the majority of metropolitan areas in Nicaragua, including the capital city Managua, and colonial cities Granada and León. The Pacific Lowlands also serves as the primary tourist region of the country, and are where Gran Pacifica’s Teak Plantation is located.
The Pacific lowlands is a primarily flat area that extends about 75km inland from the Pacific coast. The flat land is interrupted by a line of young volcanoes – many of which are still active – that runs between the Golfo de Fonseca and Lago de Nicaragua. (Fun Fact: Gran Pacifica’s buildings are named after the Nicaraguan volcanoes!) High temperatures are generally between 85-91oF (28-32oC) throughout the year.
The Central Highlands have a slightly cooler climate, with highs between 75-80oF (23-27oC), and receive more rain throughout the year than the Lowlands. Much of the country’s agriculture is centered in this region, and coffee is grown in the higher altitudes. The climate of this region is often called “eternal spring” due to the mild temperatures and frequent misting of rain. This region is primarily rural, with several towns but no major cities.
The Caribbean Lowlands are primarily rainforest and are characterized by high temperatures and humidity. Much of this region is protected from development by the government, and the two largest departments on this coast are special autonomous regions. This is due to the historic land rights of the indigenous, as well as the country’s desire to preserve its biodiversity. There is also a Creole population on the Caribbean coast, but the area overall is sparsely populated.
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