Nicaragua: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Nicaragua

Download the flag of Nicaragua as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇳🇮.

History of Nicaragua

Indigenous peoples including groups linked to Mesoamerican and Chibchan cultures lived in the region before Spanish expeditions arrived in the 1520s. Granada and Leon were founded in 1524, and the area became part of the Spanish colonial Captaincy General of Guatemala. Independence from Spain came in 1821, followed by membership of the Federal Republic of Central America until 1838. The 19th and 20th centuries saw civil conflict, foreign intervention including US occupation from 1912 to 1933, and the long rule of the Somoza family. The Sandinista revolution of 1979 was followed by a civil war in the 1980s. Nicaragua is a republic with Managua as its capital.

Key dates

1. 1522Spanish explorer Gil Gonzalez Davila enters the territory and meets local leaders.
2. 1524Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba founds the cities of Granada and Leon.
3. 1821Central America declares independence from Spain.
4. 1838Nicaragua leaves the Federal Republic of Central America and becomes a separate state.
5. 1912United States forces intervene and begin an occupation lasting until 1933.
6. 1979The Sandinista revolution overthrows the Somoza government.
7. 1990Elections bring a change of government and the end of the Contra war.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Nicaragua

Nicaragua uses the Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO, C$). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Nicaragua

Costa RicaSan JoséHondurasTegucigalpa

More countries in Central America

BelizeBelmopanCosta RicaSan JoséEl SalvadorSan SalvadorGuatemalaGuatemala CityHondurasTegucigalpaPanamaPanama City