Nicaragua at a Glance

Country: Republic of Nicaragua
Government: Republic
Population: 5,891,199
Area: 130,370 km²; slightly smaller than New York state
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Major language(s): Spanish (official, 97.5%), Miskito (1.7%)
Major religion(s): Roman Catholic (58.5%), Evangelical (21.6%)
Capital & population: Mangua; 1.6 million
Monetary unit: NIO (Nicaragua Cordobas)