On September 15^th, we celebrate Nicaragua’s Independence Day! We wish an amazing day to our wonderful team members from Nicaragua!

Join us in learnings some fun and interesting facts about this beautiful Central American country.

Did you know that?

• Originally, Nicaragua was the land of many pre-Hispanic groups such as chorotegas, nahoas, marribios, matagalpas, misquitos, and ramas.
• In 1502, Christopher Columbus arrived in Nicaragua. However, it was Gil Gonzalez Davila who, in 1522, colonized the region. He barely defeated Cacique Nicarao and Diriangen, the most important indigenous leaders. In 1527, Nicaragua became a province regulated by Guatemala (which was part of the Spaniard Kingdom).
• After years of dominion and resource exploitation, Nicaragua and the rest of the colonized provinces in the area started their move towards independence. In 1821, Nicaraguan Miguel Larreynaga headed the final meeting that led to the actual independence of the provinces of Central America.
• Nicaraguans celebrate Independence Day by having parades all over the country. Local school bands, majorettes, and folklore dancers march through the main streets of every major town.
• The Nicaraguan flag was created in 1908. The white stripes in the flag represent the nation, purity, and equality. The blue stripes stand for justice, loyalty, and courage. They also resemble the two main lakes (Xolotlán y Cocibolca) and the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean to the country’s left and right sides.
• Researchers think the name Nicaragua comes from the Pre-Hispanic Náhuatl language, and its meaning could be “right next to the water”(“nic-atl-nahuac”), Anáhuac meaning surrounded by water. Other people think the name comes from the Cacique Nicarao, an important indigenous leader.
• The capital city of the country, Managua, suffered from a fatal earthquake in 1972 that destroyed many homes and existing historic places. The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.3 and a maximum MSK intensity of IX, and lasted 30 full seconds with that same intensity.
• Nicaragua is a very versatile country to visit, being home to exquisite gastronomy, exciting potential for extreme sports and surfing, and intriguing pre- and post-Columbian history.
• When visiting Nicaragua, you must try Arroz Aguado, which is a combination of rice cooked in chicken stock, hierbabuena (a plant similar to mint), tomatoes, sour orange, and chicken. Other popular dishes are Nacatamal, Baho, Vigorón, Carne Asada, Indio Viejo, among many other very tasty options.
• Nicaragua is unique in its volcano sandboarding experience, which happens in the Cerro Negro volcano. Riders hike up the volcano and slide down, sitting or standing, on a thin plywood or metal board.
• Some of the most popular historic popular historic sites of Nicaragua include Huellas de Acahualinca (Footprints of Acahualinca), Archipelago Zapatera, Coyotepe Fort, El Castillo (The Castle) in Rio San Juan.
• Nicaragua was and continues to be home to many internationally acclaimed personalities, whose accomplishments and contribution to mankind are undeniable:
  • Ruben Darío (Félix Rubén García Sarmiento) – a leader of the Spanish American literary movement (Modernismo) who earned the international tag of the Price of Castilian Letters.
  • Alexis Arguello – boxer who won world titles at three weights.
  • Dennis Martinez – baseball pitcher who pitched a perfect game on July 28, 1991 and who is all-time leader in wins among Latin American players – 245 games).
  • Violeta Barrios de Chamorro – the first female president in the Americas.
  • Ernesto Cardenal – one of Latin America’s most admired poets and priests.
  • Bianca Jagger – Mick Jagger’s ex-wife (vocalist of the Rolling Stones). She was awarded the internationally known prize of Champion of Justice Award and founded the Bianca Jagger Human Rights Foundation.
  • Tony Melendez – award-winning artist who was born without arms and mastered guitar playing with his feet. He was even specially commended by President Reagan as a Positive Role Model for America.
  • Edith Grøn – one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. Her works are displayed worldwide, including in many European countries like Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Spain, among others.
    

We express our warmest thanks to our Nobel Country Ambassador from Nicaragua, Napoleon Valverde, who kindly shared with us these interesting facts as well as some personal thoughts about being Nicaraguan:

“I love being a Nicaraguan because as a country it forges kind, hard-working, tireless fighters who continue striving to build a better culture and country regardless of the chaos and jumbled system that has been created over the years. Irrespective of its many burdens and troublesome events, true Nicaraguans continue to devote their efforts to build a country worthy of being called <<the land of Lakes and Volcanoes>>.”