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Line 77: − − ==People== − Most Nicaraguans are of both European and Indian ancestry, and the culture of the country reflects the Ibero-European and Indian heritage of its people. Only the Indians of the eastern half of the country remain ethnically distinct and retain tribal customs and languages. A large black minority, of Jamaican origin, is concentrated on the Caribbean coast. In the mid-1980s, the central government divided the eastern half of the country--the former department of Zelaya--into two autonomous regions and granted the people of the region limited self-rule. − Roman Catholicism is the major religion, but Evangelical Protestant groups have grown recently, and there are strong Anglican and Moravian communities on the Caribbean coast. Most Nicaraguans live in the Pacific lowlands and the adjacent interior highlands. The population is 58% urban. + + + + + + + + + + + + + Line 76:
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'''Nicaragua''' is the largest nation in [[Central America]], but it the least densely populated; thus being similar in population to its neighbours. The country is bordered to the north by the Honduras and to the south by [[Costa Rica]]. Its western coast is on the [[Pacific Ocean]], while the east of the country borders on the [[Caribbean Sea]]. Nicaragua is one of three countries in the world where abortion is illegal with no exceptions, along with [[El Salvador]] and [[Chile]].
'''Nicaragua''' is the largest nation in [[Central America]], but it the least densely populated; thus being similar in population to its neighbours. The country is bordered to the north by the Honduras and to the south by [[Costa Rica]]. Its western coast is on the [[Pacific Ocean]], while the east of the country borders on the [[Caribbean Sea]]. Nicaragua is one of three countries in the world where abortion is illegal with no exceptions, along with [[El Salvador]] and [[Chile]].
==People==
Most Nicaraguans are of both European and Indian ancestry, and the culture of the country reflects the Ibero-European and Indian heritage of its people. Only the Indians of the eastern half of the country remain ethnically distinct and retain tribal customs and languages. A large black minority, of Jamaican origin, is concentrated on the Caribbean coast. In the mid-1980s, the central government divided the eastern half of the country--the former department of Zelaya--into two autonomous regions and granted the people of the region limited self-rule.
Roman Catholicism is the major religion, but Evangelical Protestant groups have grown recently, and there are strong Anglican and Moravian communities on the Caribbean coast. Most Nicaraguans live in the Pacific lowlands and the adjacent interior highlands. The population is 58% urban.
*Population (2005): 5.4 million.
*Annual growth rate (2005): 1.7%. Density--42 per sq. km.
*Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed European and indigenous) 69%, white 17%, black (Jamaican origin) 9%, indigenous 5%.
*Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic, with rapidly growing percentage of Evangelical Protestants.
*Languages: Spanish (official), English and indigenous languages on Caribbean coast.
*Education: Years compulsory--none enforced (28% of first graders eventually finish sixth grade). Literacy--67.5%.
*Health (2005): Life expectancy--70 yrs. Infant mortality rate--35.50/1,000.
*Work force (2004 est.): 1.9 million.
==Government and Political Conditions==
==Government and Political Conditions==
*Ambassador to the Organization of American States--Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres
*Ambassador to the Organization of American States--Denis Ronaldo Moncada Colindres
==Foreign Relations==
===Foreign Relations===
The 1990 election victory of President Violeta Chamorro placed Nicaragua in the ranks of Latin American democracies. Nicaragua pursues an independent foreign policy. A participant of the Central American Security Commission (CASC), Nicaragua also has taken a leading role in pressing for regional demilitarization and peaceful settlement of disputes within states in the region. Nicaragua has submitted two territorial disputes--one with Honduras and the other with Colombia--to the International Court at The Hague for resolution.
The 1990 election victory of President Violeta Chamorro placed Nicaragua in the ranks of Latin American democracies. Nicaragua pursues an independent foreign policy. A participant of the Central American Security Commission (CASC), Nicaragua also has taken a leading role in pressing for regional demilitarization and peaceful settlement of disputes within states in the region. Nicaragua has submitted two territorial disputes--one with Honduras and the other with Colombia--to the International Court at The Hague for resolution.
Since 1990, the United States has provided over $1.2 billion in assistance to Nicaragua. About $260 million of that was for debt relief, and another $450 million was for balance-of-payments support. The U.S. also provided $93 million in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as part of its overall response to Hurricane Mitch. Aside from funding for Mitch reconstruction, the levels of assistance have fallen incrementally to reflect the improvements in Nicaragua. Assistance has been focused on promoting more citizen political participation, compromise, and government transparency; stimulating sustainable growth and income; and fostering better-educated and healthier families. The Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a 5-year, $175 million compact with the Republic of Nicaragua on July 14, 2005. The Millennium Challenge Compact will reduce poverty and spur economic growth by funding projects in the regions of León and Chinandega aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving access to markets for rural communities; increasing wages and profits from farming and related enterprises in the region; and increasing investment by strengthening property rights.
Since 1990, the United States has provided over $1.2 billion in assistance to Nicaragua. About $260 million of that was for debt relief, and another $450 million was for balance-of-payments support. The U.S. also provided $93 million in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as part of its overall response to Hurricane Mitch. Aside from funding for Mitch reconstruction, the levels of assistance have fallen incrementally to reflect the improvements in Nicaragua. Assistance has been focused on promoting more citizen political participation, compromise, and government transparency; stimulating sustainable growth and income; and fostering better-educated and healthier families. The Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a 5-year, $175 million compact with the Republic of Nicaragua on July 14, 2005. The Millennium Challenge Compact will reduce poverty and spur economic growth by funding projects in the regions of León and Chinandega aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving access to markets for rural communities; increasing wages and profits from farming and related enterprises in the region; and increasing investment by strengthening property rights.
===Relations with the United States===
U.S. policy aims to continue supporting the consolidation of the democratic process initiated in Nicaragua with the 1990 election of President Chamorro. The United States has promoted national reconciliation, encouraging Nicaraguans to resolve their problems through dialogue and compromise. It recognizes as legitimate all political forces that abide by the democratic process and eschew violence. U.S. assistance is focused on strengthening democratic institutions, stimulating sustainable economic growth, and supporting the health and basic education sectors.
The resolution of U.S. citizen claims arising from Sandinista-era confiscations and expropriations still figures prominently in bilateral policy concerns. Section 527 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act (1994) prohibits certain U.S. assistance and support for a government of a country that has confiscated U.S. citizen property, unless the government has taken certain remedial steps. In July 2007, the Secretary of State issued a 14th annual national interest waiver of the Section 527 prohibition because of Nicaragua's record in resolving U.S. citizen claims as well as its overall progress in implementing political and economic reforms.
Other key U.S. policy goals for Nicaragua are:
*Improving respect for human rights and resolving outstanding high-profile human rights cases;
*Developing a free market economy with respect for property and intellectual property rights;
*Ensuring effective civilian control over defense and security policy;
*Increasing the effectiveness of Nicaragua's efforts to combat transborder crimes, including narcotics trafficking, money laundering, illegal alien smuggling, international terrorist and criminal organizations, and trafficking in persons; and
*Reforming the judicial system and implementing good governance.
Since 1990, the United States has provided over $1.2 billion in assistance to Nicaragua. About $260 million of that was for debt relief, and another $450 million was for balance-of-payments support. The U.S. also provided $93 million in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as part of its overall response to Hurricane Mitch. Aside from funding for Mitch reconstruction, the levels of assistance have fallen incrementally to reflect the improvements in Nicaragua. Assistance has been focused on promoting more citizen political participation, compromise, and government transparency; stimulating sustainable growth and income; and fostering better-educated and healthier families. The Millennium Challenge Corporation signed a 5-year, $175 million compact with the Republic of Nicaragua on July 14, 2005. The Millennium Challenge Compact will reduce poverty and spur economic growth by funding projects in the regions of León and Chinandega aimed at reducing transportation costs and improving access to markets for rural communities; increasing wages and profits from farming and related enterprises in the region; and increasing investment by strengthening property rights.
==Economy==
==Economy==
Exports have been one of the key engines of economic growth. In 2006 exports topped $1 billion. Although traditional export products such as coffee, meat, and sugar continue to lead the list, shipments of non-traditional exports such as vegetables, tobacco products, gold, and free trade zone products (textiles and electrical harnesses) increased markedly in recent years.
Exports have been one of the key engines of economic growth. In 2006 exports topped $1 billion. Although traditional export products such as coffee, meat, and sugar continue to lead the list, shipments of non-traditional exports such as vegetables, tobacco products, gold, and free trade zone products (textiles and electrical harnesses) increased markedly in recent years.
*GDP (2006): $5.37 billion.
*GDP real growth rate (2006): 3.7%.
*Per capita GDP (2006): $994.
*Inflation rate (2006): 9.45%.
*Natural resources: arable land, fresh water, fisheries, gold, timber hydro and geothermal power potential.
*Agriculture (17% of GDP): Products--corn, coffee, sugar, meat, rice, beans, bananas, beef, dairy.
*Industry (24% of GDP): Types--processed food, beverages, textiles, petroleum, and metal products.
*Services (52% of GDP): Types--banking, wholesale and retail distribution, telecommunications, and energy.
*Trade (2005 est.): Normal exports--$857 million (f.o.b.): coffee, seafood, beef, sugar, industrial goods, gold, bananas. Free trade zone exports--$682 million, mostly textiles and apparel, automobile wiring harnesses. Markets--Central American Common Market (CACM) 35%, U.S. 33%, European Union 14%, Mexico 4%, Japan 1%. Imports--$2.865 billion (c.i.f.): petroleum, agricultural inputs and equipment, manufactured goods. Suppliers--CACM 21%, U.S. 18%, EU 8%, Mexico 8%, Venezuela 6%, China 5%.
The U.S. is Nicaragua's largest trading partner, accounting for one-fifth of Nicaragua's imports and almost two-thirds of its total exports. Nicaragua formally entered the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on April 1, 2006. Nicaraguan exports to the U.S. grew 17.4% during the agreement's first 12 months. Although volumes are still low, over the same period, Nicaragua exported 237 new products to the U.S. Imports increased almost 21%, centering around machinery, cereals, vehicles, fats and oils, and plastic products.
The U.S. is Nicaragua's largest trading partner, accounting for one-fifth of Nicaragua's imports and almost two-thirds of its total exports. Nicaragua formally entered the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) on April 1, 2006. Nicaraguan exports to the U.S. grew 17.4% during the agreement's first 12 months. Although volumes are still low, over the same period, Nicaragua exported 237 new products to the U.S. Imports increased almost 21%, centering around machinery, cereals, vehicles, fats and oils, and plastic products.