Description flag of Nicaragua
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
Local names
Republica de Nicaragua (long)
Nicaragua (short)
Nationality
Nicaraguan(s) (noun) Nicaragua (adjective)
Languages spoken
Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census)
Notes
English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Population
5,785,846 ranked 110, (data 2008)
Geography
largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua. The lowest point is Pacific Ocean 0 m.
Land borders
1,231km, Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km.
Administrative divisions
15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)