| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | NIISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | NICISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | ManaguaGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | North AmericaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | NicaraguaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of NicaraguaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | NicaraguaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | 16th-century Spanish explorer Gil GONZALEZ Davila is said to have combined the name of a local chieftain, Nicarao, with the Spanish word agua (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Presidential republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 15 September 1821 (from Spain)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 15 September (1821)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | NIOISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | Cordoba OroISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 17ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Boaco / Carazo / Chinandega / Chontales / Costa Caribe Norte / Costa Caribe Sur / Estelí / Granada / Jinotega / León / Madriz / Managua / Masaya / Matagalpa / Nueva Segovia / Rivas / Río San JuanISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | "Research completed December 1993." Supercedes the 1983 ed. of Nicaragua : a country study, edited by James D. Rudolph. Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-269) and index. Also available in digital form.LoC FRD Country Studies [2026] |
| National symbols | turquoise-browed motmot (bird)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua); lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO; history: music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | blue, whiteCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: yes; citizenship by descent only: yes; dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist; residency requirement for naturalization: 4 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
16th-century Spanish explorer Gil GONZALEZ Davila is said to have combined the name of a local chieftain, Nicarao, with the Spanish word agua (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)
description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue, with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has a triangle with the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA in an arc over it and AMERICA CENTRAL in an arc underneath meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and white for the land between the two bodies of water history: the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
