The country of Nicaragua is an intriguing land of dramatic scenery and friendly people.  Its abundance of lakes, rivers, volcanoes, colonial cities and tranquil pueblos offer the adventurous tourist much to explore, Nicaragua’s recent history has left it nearly undiscovered.

Over the past 40 years, the country has endured devastating political upheaval and natural disasters that have caused enormous human suffering.  An earthquake in 1972 killed 10,000 people and nearly destroyed the nation’s capital.  The 1979 overthrow of dictator Anastasio Somoza and the subsequent civil war killed tens of thousands and crippled the economy.  In 1998, Hurricane Mitch shattered the country’s infrastructure, killed thousands and left fully one-fifth of the population in refugee camps.

Change is often slow, but new travelers are discovering how much the country has to offer and find it is now considered one of the safest countries in Central and South America.  Nicaragua today is one of the fastest growing tourist and investment destinations in the region as tourism has already become the country’s second largest source of income.

Nicaragua is a republic that holds presidential elections every five years.  A current President may only hold one term of office.  Nicaragua has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world. 

Luckily, Nicaragua has some of the most varied and abundant natural resources in Central America.  Ocean coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean, volcanic geothermal energy, huge wind farms, plentiful fresh water, perfect agricultural conditions, a temperate climate and geological diversity combine to provide many economic and recreational opportunities for the continued growth of Nicaragua.