Nicaragua

Republic of Nicaragua is the largest nation in Central America. Bordered on the north by Honduras, on the south by Costa Rica, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean, it is known as "the land of lakes and volcanoes." Its population is concentrated along the low, fertile Pacific coast; this area includes most of the major cities and produces cotton, cattle, sugarcane, and basic food crops. The bulk of the coffee crop is grown in the cooler central highlands. The thinly settled Caribbean lowlands include half the national territory and add little to the economy.
Articles

Law 306 and Tourism Related Businesses in Nicaragua
Nicaragua is working hard to be a world leader in tourism. With laws such as this one, they are well on their way. They will continue to grow as the government pushes for new businesses to come to Nicaragua.

Schools in Nicaragua
If you are relocating to Nicaragua there are many schools you can choose from. When you choose a school that is bilingual, you can do a great service to your child. Being bilingual is very helpful in the global marketplace and putting a child in such a school can turn into a great asset.

'I Saw the Revolution Betrayed 20 Years Ago'
A British volunteer who gave his support to the Sandinistas, Andrew Anthony still has faith in the Nicaraguan people

Moving to Nicaragua
With so many incentives, it is difficult for retirees to pass up the opportunity. They can retire in style and save a great deal of money when they retire to Nicaragua. Because of that, it can be expected that retirees moving to Nicaragua will increase in the coming years.

Surfing in Nicaragua
The surfing in Nicaragua is available year round. The power of the waves change through the year, but one can go and find a wave no matter the month of the year. Therefore, you do not have to plan your trip around surfing.

Spend Holidays in Nicaragua
You can easily plan your trip to Nicaragua around one of the many holidays that are celebrated throughout the year. You can have a great time and make the most out of your trip.

Violence After Nicaragua Poll
Clashes expected as opposition accuses president of rigging elections in favour of Sandinista government

Oxfam Targeted As Nicaragua Attacks 'trojan Horse' Ngos
Sandinista crackdown on NGOs prompts fears over freedom of speech and basic democratic rights.

Artists Accuse Sandinistas of Vendetta Against Revered Poet
Nicaragua's Sandinista government accused of betraying revolutionary heritage with vendetta against revered poet

Sandinista on Hunger Strike Over Ban on Political Party
Leading figure of the Nicaraguan revolution protests against 'dictatorial' former comrade-in-arms

For an Impoverished Beauty Queen, a Stark Choice: Sex Work or No Work
Women's media campaign in Nicaragua overturns crackdown on brothels across capital

The Sandalistas Who Never Left
When the Sandinistas lost power in Nicaragua in 1990, most left, but not all. Rory Carroll tracks down six of them to hear their stories

For an Impoverished Beauty Queen, a Stark Choice: Sex Work or No Work
Women's media campaign in Nicaragua overturns crackdown on brothels across capital

Nicaraguans Awarded $3.2m Over Pesticides
Six Nicaraguan farmworkers have won $3.2m (£1.53m) in damages after a Los Angeles jury agreed that they had been rendered sterile by the use of a banned pesticide by the US company Dole Food.

Killer Law
Last November it became a crime for a woman to have an abortion in Nicaragua, even if her life was in mortal danger. So far it has resulted in the death of at least 82 women. Rory Carroll reports on the fight to have the law changed.

Flattened By Hurricane, Mosquito Coast Faces Hunger and Disease
Destruction of rain forest heralds long-term misery for impoverished villagers.

Honduras Faces Felix After Nicaragua Takes Brunt
Four dead and thousands of homes destroyed on Miskito coast but storm system is losing intensity.

Disaster Feared in Nicaragua As Hurricane Felix Makes Landfall
Hurricane Felix battered Central America yesterday, raising fears of catastrophe in a region with few resources to prepare for its arrival or cope with the consequences.

Nicaraguans Flee Coast As Hurricane Felix Strikes
For the first time on record, two maximum-rated storms come ashore in the same season.

Nicaragua Defies Us With Iran Trade Deal
· Tehran to fund projects in exchange for coffee, meat· Washington warns of 'dangerous partner'

Hope Dries Up for Nicaragua's Miskito
Central American indigenous people are among first to suffer from climate change but least equipped to adapt.

Ortega Banks on Tourism to Beat Poverty
Nicaragua's leader was once the White House's nightmare. Now he's back... as a friend to the US.

Nicaragua's Green Lobby is Leaving Rainforest People 'utterly Destitute'
Crackdown on felling and exporting trees leaves Miskitos facing economic and social devastation.

Nicaragua
Leader: Nicaragua has to contend with a divisive past, natural disasters and grinding poverty. Now that a more pragmatic Mr Ortega is in charge, George Bush should have the good grace to give him a chance.

Ortega Poised to Return in Nicaragua
The Sandinista leader, Daniel Ortega, today looked increasingly likely to be returned to power, 16 years after a US-backed rebellion helped to oust him from office.

Ortega Back in Power, Early Poll Results Show
· Sandinista head 'triumphs in Nicaraguan first round' · Split opposition cries foul and US warns of sanctions

Former Sandinista Chief Hovers on Brink of Historic Comeback
Nicaraguans went to the polls yesterday to decide whether or not Daniel Ortega, the reviled and revered Sandinista leader, should rule the country.

Sandinista Comeback Alarms Us
Daniel Ortega is a hair's breadth from regaining power in Nicaragua and staging one of Latin America's most remarkable political comebacks, according to new opinion polls.

Nicaragua Votes to Outlaw Abortion
· Church-backed law to include 30-year jail terms · Cross-party support for bill in run-up to election

Oliver North, Back in Nicaragua, Takes on Ortega Again
Revived leftwing election prospects prompt US cold war warrior's 'private visit'.

Ortega Could Win Nicaragua Presidency Outright, Polls Show
· Sandinista leader on track for victory in first round · Washington warns of economic backlash

Chávez Sends Oil to Boost Ortega's Election Bid in Nicaragua
Venezuela was due to ship 350,000 barrels of oil to Nicaragua yesterday in an effort to boost the election campaign of Daniel Ortega, who hopes to lead the Sandinistas back to power next month.

Nicaragua Raises a Glass to El Macuã¡
One part white rum, one part guava juice, with a half-portion of lemon juice and some sugar and ice, el macuá this week became Nicaragua's national tipple and a challenger to the region's more established drinks.

$20bn and 10 Years to Build - a Giant Rival for Panama Canal
· Nicaragua plans vast channel for largest ships · Opponents cite green issues and lack of demand

US Warns Millions in Aid at Risk If Nicaragua Ousts President
· Leader under threat over alleged election violations · Bush representative seeks to avert Sandinista revival

How to Stop Civil War
Nicaragua and South Africa, not the US, should be the inspiration for the people framing Iraq's constitution. George Monbiot

US Bars Sandinista Academic
More than 120 North American academics have begun campaigning to get the US state department to change its mind about banning a leading figure from the Nicaraguan Sandinista revolution from teaching in the US.

US Bars Nicaragua Heroine As 'terrorist'
Writers and academics voice anger as state department refuses visa to let Sandinista revolutionary take up post as Harvard professor.

Rebellion forces Vatican u-turn in child rape case
The Roman Catholic church has responded to a rebellion of 26,000 people worldwide demanding to be excommunicated by withdrawing its threat to punish the parents of a nine-year-old Nicaraguan girl who had an abortion after being raped, campaigners said yesterday.

Child rape case splits Nicaragua
The parents of a nine-year-old Nicaraguan girl who was raped are facing prosecution after she had an abortion in a private clinic in Managua last week.

Nicaragua puts former president in the dock
The former Nicaraguan president Arnoldo Aleman was taken before magistrates yesterday to be formally charged with money laundering and theft of state funds.

Accused former Nicaraguan president stripped of immunity
Thousands of people braved torrential rain and chanted for justice as Nicaragua's parliament took a historic vote paving the way for the former president Arnoldo Aleman to face charges for the theft of nearly $100m (£64m) of state funds.

US warns former Nicaragua leader over corruption
The "Fatman" of Nicaraguan politics was sent a clear signal that his days in power are numbered after the US warned that he could face trial on money laundering charges in an American court.

Hot stuff
Nicaragua's heat makes a sombrero mandatory - but once you have one, finds Carla Grossetti, the lakes and jungles of the south are yours to explore. And finding one to begin with can lead you to some extraordinary places...

Trouble in paradise
Colombia rules the tiny, distant islands of Providence and San Andres in the western Carribean but now Nicaragua is staking a claim through the international court of justice. So what do the islanders think? They look to England as their 'mother land', finds Martin Hodgson.