1998 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1998 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Area
total: 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 sq km
Area-comparative
slightly smaller than New York State
Climate
tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Coastline
910 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Environment-current issues
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment-international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
Geographic coordinates
13 00 N, 85 00 W
Irrigated land
880 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries
total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km
Land use
arable land: 9% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 27% other: 17% (1993 est.)
Location
Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes
Natural resources
gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
Terrain
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,017,190; female 1,000,436) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,191,323; female 1,251,828) 65 years and over: 3% (male 52,836; female 69,766) (July 1998 est.)
Birth rate
36.04 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate
5.8 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Ethnic groups
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Infant mortality rate
42.26 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) note: Englishand Amerindian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 66.62 years male: 64.26 years female: 69.08 years (1998 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 65.7% male: 64.6% female: 66.6% (1995 est.)
Nationality
noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan
Net migration rate
-1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Population
4,583,379 (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate
2.92% (1998 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.)
Total fertility rate
4.28 children born/woman (1998 est.)
Government
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*
Constitution
9 January 1987
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua
Data code
NU
Executive branch
chief of state: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note-in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years election results: Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, others (18 other candidates) remaining 4.33%
FAX
[505] (2) 669074
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
Government type
republic
Independence
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
International organization participation
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasa chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] (2) 666010 through 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 33
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly Political parties and leaders: right: Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Road (PCCN), Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose RIZO Castellon; Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRA Gallardo; National Conservative Party (PCN), Adolfo CALERO, Noel VIDAURRE; Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN), Enrique SANCHEZ Herdocia center right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Adolfo GARCIA Esquivel; Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Fabio GADEA; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Virgilio GODOY; National Project (PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO Oyanguren; Conservative Action Movement (MAC), Hernaldo ZUNIGA center left: Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Movement for Revolutionary Unity (MUR), NA; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), NA; Unity Alliance (AU), Alejandro SERRANO; Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCN), Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha; National Democratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS Echaverry; UNO-96 Alliance, Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Alfredo GUZMAN left: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE); National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groups
Legal system
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Legislative branch
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) 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, PNC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1
National capital
Managua
National holiday
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Suffrage
16 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture-products
coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Budget
revenues: $389 million expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Currency
1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Debt-external
$6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid
recipient: ODA, $NA
Economy-overview
The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the 1980s by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to rebound. In 1991 President CHAMORRO launched an ambitious economic stabilization program that reduced inflation and obtained substantial economic aid from abroad. Economic growth rose sharply in 1995-97, due to surges in exports and efforts to enhance trade liberalization. The program, however, hit some snags, and a 1994-97 IMF Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) signed by the CHAMORRO administration with the Fund lapsed in September 1996 due to non-compliance. In 1997, however, the IMF resumed negotiations for an ESAF with the ALEMAN administration, and agreed to an ESAF in 1998. IMF approval of the ESAF cleared the way for debt relief by the Paris Club later that year and has opened the way for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Implementation of a 1997 property accord-designed to resolve conflict over properties confiscated by the Sandinistas in the 1980s-should also help inspire international investor confidence. Strong growth is forecast for 1998, with implementation of a 1997 free trade agreement with Mexico expected to boost agricultural exports, although the industrial sector may come under pressure from increased Mexican competition.
Electricity-capacity
457,000 kW (1995)
Electricity-consumption per capita
416 kWh (1995)
Electricity-production
1.76 billion kWh (1995)
Exchange rates
gold cordobas (C$) per US$1-9.76 (October 1997), 8.44 (1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993)
Exports
total value: $635 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: coffee, seafood, meat, sugar, gold, bananas partners: US, Central America, Germany, Canada
Fiscal year
calendar year Communications
GDP
purchasing power parity-$9.3 billion (1997 est.)
GDP-composition by sector
agriculture: 34% industry: 21% services: 45% (1995)
GDP-per capita
purchasing power parity-$2,100 (1997 est.)
GDP-real growth rate
6% (1997 est.)
Imports
total value: $1.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
Industrial production growth rate
1.4% (1994 est.)
Industries
food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Inflation rate-consumer price index
11.6% (1996)
Labor force
total: 1.5 million by occupation: services 54%, agriculture 31%, industry 15% (1995 est.)
Radio broadcast stations
AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3
Radios
1.037 million (1992 est.)
Telephone system
low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System domestic: wire and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations-1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones
66,810 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations
7 (1994 est.)
Televisions
260,000 (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate
16%; underemployment 36% (1996 est.)
Transportation
Airports
185 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 172 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 144 (1997 est.)
Highways
total: 18,000 km paved: 1,818 km unpaved: 16,182 km (1996 est.)
Merchant marine
none
Pipelines
crude oil 56 km Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Railways
total: 0 km narrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note-part of the previous 376 km system was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainder was closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Waterways
2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Military and Security
Military branches
Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Military expenditures-dollar figure
$27.48 million (1996)
Military expenditures-percent of GDP
1.35% (1996)
Military manpower-availability
males age 15-49: 1,067,336 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 656,672 (1998 est.)
Military manpower-military age
18 years of age
Military manpower-reaching military age annually
males: 51,576 (1998 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes-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 International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras
Illicit drugs
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US