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Communications

Airports [time series]

228 total, 155 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

Civil air [time series]

9 major transport aircraft

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved, 2,170 km gravel or crushed stone, 5,425 km earth or graded earth, 14,335 km unimproved; Pan-American highway 368.5 km

Waterways (Inland waterways) [time series]

2,220 km, including 2 large lakes

Merchant marine [time series]

2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161 GRT/2,500 DWT

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 56 km

Ports [time series]

Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama

Railways (Railroads) [time series]

373 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge, government owned; majority of system not operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connect with mainline)

Telecommunication systems (Telecommunications) [time series]

low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

Defense Forces

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $70 million, 3.8% of GDP (1991 budget)

Manpower availability [time series]

males 15-49, 878,066; 541,090 fit for military service; 42,997 reach military age (18) annually

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

accounts for 15% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash crops - coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans; variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy; normally self-sufficient in food

Budget [time series]

revenues $347 million; expenditures $499 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1991)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

cordoba (plural - cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos

Economic aid [time series]

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,381 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.5 billion

Electricity [time series]

423,000 kW capacity; 1,409 million kWh produced, 376 kWh per capita (1991)

Exchange rates [time series]

cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 25,000,000 (March 1992), 21,354,000 (1991), 15,655 (1989), 270 (1988), 102.60 (1987)

Exports [time series]

$342 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicals partners: OECD 75%, USSR and Eastern Europe 15%, other 10%

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$10 billion (December 1991)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, per capita $425; real growth rate -1.0% (1991 est.)

Imports [time series]

$738 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothing partners: Latin America 30%, US 25%, EC 20%, USSR and Eastern Europe 10%, other 15% (1990 est.)

Industrial production growth rate (Industrial production) [time series]

growth rate NA; accounts for about 25% of GDP

Industries [time series]

food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

766% (1991)

Economic overview (Overview) [time series]

Government control of the economy historically has been extensive, although the CHAMORRO government has pledged to greatly reduce intervention. Four private banks have been licensed, and the government has liberalized foreign trade and abolished price controls on most goods. Over 50% of the agricultural and industrial firms remain state owned. Sandinista economic policies and the war had produced a severe economic crisis. The foundation of the economy continues to be the export of agricultural commodities, largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989 and 4% in 1990, and remained about even in 1991. The agricultural sector employs 44% of the work force and accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of export earnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributes about 25% to GDP, showed a drop of 7% in 1989, fell slightly in 1990, and remained flat in 1991; output still is below pre-1979 levels. External debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In 1991 the inflation rate was 766%, down sharply from the 13,490% of 1990.

Unemployment rate [time series]

13%; underemployment 50% (1991)

Geography

Climate [time series]

tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

910 km

Area - comparative (Comparative area) [time series]

slightly larger than New York State

Disputes - international (Disputes) [time series]

territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; unresolved maritime boundary in Golfo de Fonseca

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

Area (Land area) [time series]

120,254 km2

Land boundaries [time series]

1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Land use [time series]

arable land 9%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 43%; forest and woodland 35%; other 12%; including irrigated 1%

Maritime claims [time series]

Contiguous zone: 25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain) Continental shelf: not specified Territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural resources [time series]

gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

Terrain [time series]

extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes

Area (Total area) [time series]

129,494 km2

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

9 administrative regions encompassing 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, North Atlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAN), Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, South Atlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAS)

Capital [time series]

Managua

Political parties (Communists) [time series]

15,000-20,000

Constitution [time series]

January 1987

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation) [time series]

Ambassador Ernesto PALAZIO; Chancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-6570 US: Ambassador Harry W. SHLAUDEMAN; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua (mailing address is APO AA 34021); telephone [505] (2) 666010 or 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 34; FAX [505] (2) 666046

Executive branch (Elections) [time series]

President: last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results - Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, other 4.5% National Assembly: last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results - UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats - (92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39, PSC 1, MUR 1

Executive branch [time series]

president, vice president, Cabinet

Flag [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courts

Executive branch (Leaders) [time series]

Chief of State and Head of Government: President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice President Virgilio GODOY (since 25 April 1990)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)

Country name (Long-form name) [time series]

Republic of Nicaragua

International organization participation (Member of) [time series]

BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

ruling coalition: National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 14-party alliance - National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS; Conservative Popular Alliance Party (PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; National Conservative Action Party (PANC), Hernaldo ZUNIGA; National Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), Augustin JARQUIN; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Andres ZUNIGA; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto SOMARRIBA; National Action Party (PAN), Eduardo RIVAS; Nicaraguan Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Luis Humberto GUZMAN; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), Alejandro PEREZ opposition parties: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS; Democratic Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose BRENES; Liberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN), Eduardo CORONADO; Movement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco SAMPER; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; Social Conservative Party (PSOC), Fernando AGUERRO; Popular Action Movement - Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio DIAZ

Suffrage [time series]

universal at age 16

Government type (Type) [time series]

republic

People

Birth rate [time series]

37 births/1,000 population (1992)

Death rate [time series]

7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

57 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)

Labor force [time series]

1,086,000; service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

60 years male, 66 years female (1992)

Literacy [time series]

57% (male 57%, female 57%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971)

Nationality [time series]

noun - Nicaraguan(s); adjective - Nicaraguan

Net migration rate [time series]

-1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)

Organized labor [time series]

35% of labor force

Population [time series]

3,878,150 (July 1992), growth rate 2.8% (1992)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.6 children born/woman (1992)