Nicaragua
Brandy Cardenas
Nicaragua
Nicaragua a fascinating country! From ever dark green forests to the sandy and sky blue beaches. The beach resorts give ample space,chance for sunbathing, and leisurely strolling apart from the water sports. Including the largest freshwater lake in Central America (Cocibolca) . Dive in the breathtaking lakes situated amongst lush trees and waterfalls for adventure. Catch a glimpse of the explosive active volcanic mountains. Travel the country devouring the multiple cuisines of French, Latin America, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian. Zona Rosa a favorite location of most travelers for its luxurious casinos,clubs and beach side bars. Many apparatus get aways for summer family fun.
Religion
Roman Catholicism remains as the DOMINANT religion. According to the LAST census conducted in 2005. 58.5% of the population is catholic and 21.% is evangelical Protestant. With inclusion of the assemblies of god, Pentecostal,Mennonite, and Baptist. However the religion they mostly follow is over 90% of Nicaragua's population as christian denominations. They also believe that religious freedom and religious tolerance is promoted.
Language
Nicaraguans mainly speak Spanish , that is there official language. However they have a variety of different languages. They are the following: Garifuna, Miskito, Nicaragua Creole English, Rama, Sumo-Mayanga, Nicaraguan Sign Language, Matagalpa, Monimbo, and finally Subtiaba. The formal way to "hello" in Nicaragua is "hola".
People
The major ethnicity in Nicaragua is 91.6% of Mestizo and white. The majority being Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese and French ancestry.
Customs/Traditions
Nicaragua has many celebrations that are similar to the ones in the U.S. For example:Christmas, New Years,Mothers day, and Easter Sunday. However they have their own traditional celebrations. They are the following: International Poetry Festival in Granada), Semana Santa, Maunday Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Labor day/May Day,The Sandinista Revolution Day, Santo Domingo Celebrations Start, Last Day of Santo Domingo Celebrations, Tope de Toros, Hipica Carnaval, Battle of San Jacinto, Independence Day, Indigenous Resistance Day,Day of the Dead, and finally Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
As you can see the Nicaraguans have many festivals and same goes for the dances and the music. The dances are mainly based on the folklore.These Folkloric celebrations combine the spanish colonial influence with indigenous celebratory elements.
These are the best-known folklore dances
- Gigante
- Bailes de Negra
- Toro Huaco
- Bailes de Hungaras
- Guegüense
- Bailes de Mestizaje
- Toro Venado
- El viejo y la Vieja
- El Tinco
- El Atabal
- Chinegro
- Promesantes
- Palo de Mayo
- Los Zompopos
Economy
The cost of living in Nicaragua is much severely cheaper. The economy is mainly focused on agricultural industry. It is the poorest country in Central America and THE SECOND POOREST in the hemisphere. Their labors are transportation, Commerce, warehousing, restaurant and hotels, arts and entertainment, health, education, financial and banking services, telecommunications as well as public administration and defense.
Holidays/Festivals
Nicaragua has a total of 22 holidays !!! Many are similar to the U.S. Yet they have their own fir the cultural reasons. These are some of THEIR cultural holidays:
- March Equinox (Mar 20)
- Maunday Thursday (April 17)
- Good Friday (April 18)
- Holy Saturday (April 19)
- Labor Day/May Day (May 1)
- June Solstice (June 21)
- The Sandinista Revolution Day ( Jul 19)
- Santo Domingo Celebrations Stars ( Aug 1)
- Last Day of Santo Domingo Celebrations (Aug 10)
- Army Day (Sep 2)
- Battle of San Jacinto ( Sep 14)
- September Equinox( Sep 23)
- Indigenous Resistance Day ( Oct 12)
- All Saint's Day (Nov 2)
- Feast of Immaculate Conception (Dec 8)
- December Solstice (Dec 21)
- Toro Huaco
- Masaya Market
- Fiesta Day
- La Griteria
- Holy Week
Nicaragua Tourism