Nicaragua is the poorest Spanish speaking country in the world and the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Situated in Central America, it has a population of almost 6 million people and a history of continuous turmoil caused by a past of corrupt dictators, foreign government intervention, civil war, and numerous natural disasters. In 1990 a democracy was established and since then it has begun to move forward with stability.

Statistical Facts

• Over 2.5 million of the population of about 6 million people live in the capitol city of Managua
• More than 60% of the people live on less than $2 per day and 1/3 of these live on less than $1 per day.
• 40% of the people live in homes made from palm thatch, plastic bags and other scrap material
• There is only 1 doctor for every 8,000 people and most of them live in the major cities.
• Due to malnutrition, diseases (mostly from bad water and poor sanitation), the mortality rate for children under 5 years of age is over 50%.
• Less than one third of the population has an elementary school education. Only 1 in 7 graduate from high school. Illiteracy is a major problem. Most children are forced to leave school in order to help support the family.

Maps
From USA to S. America
Nicaragua