Geography of Nicaragua

Where is Nicaragua located? Nicaragua is located in the heart of Central America. Its closest neighbors are Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. Its territory measures 129,494 sq. km. This is the approximate size of New York state. For more information, consult our map of Central America and try our interactive puzzle!

What is the landscape of Nicaragua like?
Nicaragua is home to many active volcanoes that extend from the Gulf of Fonseca to Lake Nicaragua. While volcanic activity has produced nutrient-rich soil for farming, earthquakes have historically devastated large portions of the country. Only two freshwater lakes can be found in all of Central America and both are located in Nicaragua. They are Lake Nicaragua and Lake Managua.

What is the climate of Nicaragua?
Nicaragua hosts a wide range of climates that include tropical rain forests and pine savannas. The country's mountaineous central highlands are located between the Pacific and Caribbean lowlands. For more information, visit the CIA Factbook on Nicaraguan geography.

How does geography relate to art? A nation's geographic terrain helps form its character just as your hair color, skin tone, and other features shape who you are! Therefore, artists often depict their physical surroundings to illustrate regional customs and way of life or to communicate political and nationalistic messages. Explore our mural tour and discover how Nicaragua's characteristic lakes, volcanoes and tropical climate have influenced its art.

Continue! Take a tour of the Nicaraguan town of San Juan de Limay. View the landscape, meet the townspeople, and hear about their way of life and struggles.
next -->

Credit: footage gathered in 1997 by the Oberlin College Nicaragua Sister Cooperative. Courtesy of Claudia von Vacano.