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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3

Radios [time series]

1.037 million (1992 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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 - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

66,810 (1993 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

7 (1994 est.)

Televisions [time series]

260,000 (1992 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $389 million expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos

Debt - external [time series]

$6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $NA

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the 1980s by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to rebound. Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO launched an ambitious economic stabilization program, Nicaragua has reduced inflation and obtained substantial economic aid from abroad. Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in 1992. After rising again to an estimated 20% in 1993, the annual inflation rate dropped to roughly 11% in 1994-96. Economic growth rose sharply in 1995-96, thanks to surges in most export categories. The government's efforts to liberalize trade include a December 1995 decision to stop requiring exporters to bring their foreign exchange earnings into Nicaragua. On the debt front, the Nicaraguan Government launched a successful debt buyback program in 1995, purchasing 73% of its $1.373 billion commercial debt inherited from previous governments. Progress also occurred on reducing bilateral debt in 1996 as Nicaragua reached an agreement with Russia, reducing Nicaragua's debt by $3.3 billion. Debt reduction agreements with Paris Club creditors and rescheduling with Latin American creditors also took place. Unemployment remains a pressing problem, however, with roughly half the country's work force unemployed or underemployed.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

417,700 kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

279 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.713 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 8.63 (September 1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992)

Exports [time series]

total value: $607 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: meat, coffee, cotton, sugar, seafood, gold, bananas partners: US, Central America, Canada, Germany

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 34% industry: 21% services: 45% (1995)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,800 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5.5% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value : $1.188 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.4% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

11% (1996)

Labor force [time series]

total : 1.086 million by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)

Unemployment rate [time series]

16%; underemployment 36% (1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total : 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than New York State

Climate [time series]

tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

910 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

13 00 N, 85 00 W

Irrigated land [time series]

880 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Land use [time series]

arable land : 9% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 27% other : 17% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone : 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 [time series]

9 January 1987

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form : Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form : Nicaragua

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Luis 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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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 (Nicaraguan Christian Path - CNN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (Nicaraguan Conservative Party - PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (National Project) 0.53%, others (18 other candidates) remaining 4.33%

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

[505] (2) 669074

Flag (Flag description) [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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly

Legal system [time series]

civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

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%, Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 36.55%, Nicaraguan Christian Road Party (PCCN) 3.73%, Nicaraguan Conservative Party (PCN) 2.12%, Sandinista Renovation Movement (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

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Managua

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

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

right: Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Road (PCCN), Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), NA; Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRA Gallardo; National Conservative Party (PNC), Adolfo CALERO, Noel VIDAURRE; Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN), Enrique SANCHEZ center right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Ricardo VEGA Garcia; Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Enrique QUINONEZ; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; National Project (PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO Oyanguren; Conservative Action Movement (MAC), Hernaldo ZUNIYA 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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [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

Suffrage [time series]

16 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$27.48 million (1996)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.35% (1996)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,027,630 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 632,433 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males : 49,552 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 963,878; female 949,658) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,147,565; female 1,207,386) 65 years and over : 4% (male 50,910; female 67,002) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

33.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

44.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official) note: English- and Amerindian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66.17 years male: 63.83 years female : 68.6 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 65.7% male : 64.6% female: 66.6% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun : Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

4,386,399 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.6% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%

Sex ratio [time series]

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 total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.9 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 [time series]

transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US NIGER

Transportation

Airports [time series]

147 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 115 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: 107 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total : 17,146 km paved: 1,715 km unpaved: 15,431 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

none

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 56 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

2,220 km, including 2 large lakes