Managua, the capital of
Nicaragua is by far the country's largest city. Managua is the center of
Nicaraguan transportation, commerce, finance, and manufacturing and is a
major cultural and educational site. Built over geologic fault lines,
Managua was badly damaged by earthquakes in 1931 and 1972, and most of
its central area has never been rebuilt.
Managua is situated about
45 km (about 28 mil) from the Pacific Ocean, on the southern shore of
Lake Managua. It lies in the western lowlands, Nicaragua's most densely
populated region, between the major cities of Leon and Granada. It is
served by the Pan-American Highway. The climate is hot, with average
daytime temperatures around 30°C (86°F) or higher. Heavy rains fall
from May until early November, but the weather is relatively dry the rest
of the year.
Managua, New
Metropolitan Cathedral
León
León (city,
Nicaragua), western Nicaragua, capital of Leon Department. Leon
is the transportation and cotton-trading center for the surrounding
agricultural region. Manufactures include furniture, shoes, and leather
goods. The city is the site of the Autonomous National University of
Nicaragua (1812) and an 18th century cathedral, one of the largest in
Central America. Leon was founded in 1524. During the 19th century it
was the center of the Liberal Party. Population (1995 estimate) 150,000.