FACTS

Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Area (only Total) total: 129,494 sq km

Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

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

Population: 5,785,846 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): Spanish

Government type: republic

Capital (Name): Managua

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-6

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)