Statistical information Nicaragua 2000
Nicaragua in the World
top of pageBackground: Settled as a colony of Spain in the 1520s Nicaragua gained its independence in 1821. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990 and again in 1996 saw the Sandinistas defeated. The country has slowly rebuilt its economy during the 1990s but was hard hit by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
top of pageLocation: Middle America bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N 85 00 W
Map reference:
Central America and the CaribbeanAreaTotal: 129,494 km²
Land: 120,254 km²
Water: 9,240 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than the state of New York
Land boundariesTotal: 1,231 km
Border countries: (2) Costa Rica 309 km;
, Honduras 922 kmCoastline: 910 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: natural prolongation
Territorial sea: 200 NM
Climate: tropical in lowlands cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold silver copper tungsten lead zinc timber fish
Land useArable land: 9%
Permanent crops: 1%
Permanent pastures: 46%
Forests and woodland: 27%
Other: 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 880 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: destructive earthquakes volcanoes landslides and occasionally severe hurricanes
Geographytop of pagePopulation: 4,918,393 (July 2000 est.)
Growth rate: 2.15% (2000 est.)
Below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.)
NationalityNoun: Nicaraguan
Adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69% white 17% black 9% Amerindian 5%
LanguagesNote: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Religions: Roman Catholic 85% Protestant
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 38.98% (male 976,087; female 941,141)
15-64 years: 58.08% (male 1,418,555; female 1,438,096)
65 years and over: 2.94% (male 62,963; female 81,551) (2000 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 2.15% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 27.64 births/1000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 4.82 deaths/1000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.33 migrant(s)/1000 population (2000 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damage
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male/female
Under 15 years: 1.04 male/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male/female
Total population: 1 male/female (2000 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 33.66 deaths/1000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 69.05 years
Male: 67.1 years
Female: 71.11 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.18 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsAdult prevalence rate: 0.2% (1999 est.)
People living with hivaids: 4,900 (1999 est.)
Deaths: 360 (1999 est.)
Major infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 65.7%
Male: 64.6%
Female: 66.6% (1995 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
Conventional short form: Nicaragua
Local long form: Republica de Nicaragua
Local short form: Nicaragua
Government type: republic
Capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos singular - departamento) 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas singular - region autonomista); Boaco Carazo Chinandega Chontales Esteli Granada Jinotega Leon Madriz Managua Masaya Matagalpa Nueva Segovia Rio San Juan Rivas Atlantico Norte* Atlantico Sur*
Dependent areasIndependence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 January 1987 with reforms in 1995 and 2000
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (since 10 January 1997); Vice President Leopoldo NAVARRO (since 24 October 2000); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (since 10 January 1997); Vice President Leopoldo NAVARRO (since 24 October 2000); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held 4 November 2000); note - in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years
Election results: Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance - ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, other (18 other candidates) 4.33%
Legislative branchElections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held 4 November 2000)
Election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (16 judges elected for seven-year terms by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders: Conservative Party of Nicaragua or PCN [Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Virgilio GODOY]; Liberal Alliance (ruling alliance including Liberal Constitutional Party or PLC New Liberal Party or PALI Independent Liberal Party for National Unity or PLIUN and Central American Unionist Party or PUCA) [leader NA]; National Conservative Party or PC [Pedro SOLARZANO Noel VIDAURRE]; National Project or PRONAL [Benjamin LANZAS]; Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or PCCN [Guillermo OSORNO Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN [Salvador TALAVERA]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Sergio RAMIREZ]; Unity Alliance or AU [Alejandro SERRANO]; Union Nacional Opositora 96 or UNO-96 [Alfredo CESAR Aguirre]
International organization participation: BCIE CACM CCC ECLAC FAO G-77 IADB IAEA IBRD ICAO ICFTU ICRM IDA IFAD IFC IFRCS ILO IMF IMO Intelsat Interpol IOC IOM ISO (correspondent) ITU LAES LAIA (observer) NAM OAS OPANAL OPCW PCA UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNHCR UNIDO UPU WCL WHO WIPO WMO WToO WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonso ORTEGA Urbina
In the us chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,009
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 939-6,570
In the us fax: [1] (202) 939-6,542
In the us consulates general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Oliver P. GARZA
From the us embassy: Apartado Postal 327, Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua
From the us mailing address: APO AA 34,021
From the us telephone: [505] (2) 662,298, 666,010, 666,012, 666,013, 666,015, 666,018, 666,026, 666,027, 666,032, 666,033
From the us fax: [505] (2) 669,074
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top) white and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: Nicaragua one of the hemisphere's poorest countries faces low per capita income flagging socio-economic indicators and huge external debt. While the country has made progress toward macro-economic stabilization over the past few years a banking crisis and scandal has shaken the economy. Managua will continue to be dependent on international aid and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Donors have made aid conditional on improving governability the openness of government financial operation poverty alleviation and human rights. Nicaragua met the conditions for additional debt service relief in December 2000. Growth should remain moderate to high in 2000.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 5% (2000 est.)
Real gdp per capita pppGross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 31.6%
Industry: 22.8%
Services: 45.6% (1999)
Agriculture products: coffee bananas sugarcane cotton rice corn tobacco sesame soya beans; beef veal pork poultry dairy products
Industries: food processing chemicals machinery and metal products textiles clothing petroleum refining and distribution beverages footwear wood
Industrial production growth rate: 4.4% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 1.7 million (1999)
By occupation services: 43%
By occupation agriculture: 42%
By occupation industry: 15% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 20% plus considerable underemployment (1999 est.)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: 50% (2000 est.)
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareLowest 10: 1.6%
Highest 10: 39.8% (1993)
Distribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $734 million
Expenditures: $836 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Public debtTaxes and other revenuesRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Current account balanceInflation rate consumer prices: 11% (2000 est.)
Central bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $631 million (f.o.b. 2000 est.)
Commodities: coffee shrimp and lobster cotton tobacco beef sugar bananas; gold
Partners: US 37.7% El Salvador 12.5% Germany 9.8% Costa Rica 5.1% Spain 2.5% France 2.1% (1999)
Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b. 2000 est.)
Commodities: machinery and equipment raw materials petroleum products consumer goods
Partners: US 34.5% Costa Rica 11.4% Guatemala 7.3% Panama 6.9% Venezuela 5.9% El Salvador 5.5% (1999)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $6.4 billion (2000 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: gold cordobas per US dollar - 12.96 (November 2000) 12.69 (2000 est.) 11.81 (1999) 10.58 (1998) 9.45 (1997) 8.44 (1996)
top of pageElectricity accessElectricity production: 2.349 billion kWh (1999)
By source fossil fuel: 67.26%
By source hydro: 17.71%
By source nuclear: 0%
By source other: 15.03% (1999)
Electricity consumption: 2.265 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity exports: 20 million kWh (1999)
Electricity imports: 100 million kWh (1999)
Electricity installed generating capacityElectricity transmission distribution lossesElectricity generation sourcesPetroleumRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitatop of pageTelephones fixed linesTelephones mobile cellular: 7,911 (1997)
Telephone systemGeneral assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by foreign investment
Domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System
International: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternet country code: .ni
Internet users: 20,000 (2000)
Broadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $26 million (FY98)
Percent of gdp: 1.2% (FY98)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupstop of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 182 (2000 est.)
With paved runways total: 11
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 2
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 3
With paved runways under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 171
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 1
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 25
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 145 (2000 est.)
Airports with paved runwaysTotal: 11
2438 to 3047 m: 2
15-24 to 2437 m: 3
914 to 1523 m: 3
Under 914 m: 3 (2000 est.)
Airports with unpaved runwaysTotal: 171
15-24 to 2437 m: 1
914 to 1523 m: 25
Under 914 m: 145 (2000 est.)
HeliportsPipelines: crude oil 56 km
RailwaysRoadwaysWaterways: 2,220 km (including 2 large lakes)
Merchant marine: none (2000 est.)
Ports and terminalstop of pageDisputes international: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca the ICJ referred to the line determined by the 1900 Honduras-Nicaragua Mixed Boundary Commission and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras in the Caribbean Sea is before the ICJ; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs