Country profile: Nicaragua

Never rich in the first place, Nicaragua is striving to overcome the after effects of dictatorship, civil war and natural calamities, which have made it one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Nicaragua has traditionally relied on agricultural exports to sustain its economy. But these benefited mainly a few elite families of Spanish descent, primarily the Somoza family, which ruled the country with US backing between 1937 and the Sandinista revolution in 1979.

Overview

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The Sandinistas began redistributing property and made huge progress in the spheres of health and education. They won a decisive victory in 1984 elections, but their leftist orientation also attracted US hostility and drove them to turn to the USSR and Cuba.

AT-A-GLANCE Politics: Former Marxist guerrilla leader Daniel Ortega made a comeback in the November 2006 presidential race Economy: Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Americas, after Haiti; former President Bolaños pursued market-friendly policies International: The US has been vocal in its opposition to Ortega, who is seen to be bolstering an increasingly assertive anti-US bloc in Latin America Timeline

This set the scene for a US-sponsored counter-revolution, which saw Washington arm and finance thousands of rebels, or Contras, in order to carry out attacks on Nicaragua from bases in Honduras. The US also imposed trade sanctions and mined Nicaraguan harbours.

By 1990, when the Sandinistas were defeated in elections held as part of a peace agreement, Nicaragua's per capita income had plummeted and its infrastructure was in tatters.

Peace brought some economic growth, lower inflation and lower unemployment. But this was more than counter-balanced by the devastations of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed thousands, rendered 20% of the population homeless and caused billions of dollars worth of damage.

Nicaragua's modest tourist industry - which had all but collapsed by the early 1990s - has enjoyed a revival. The country's attractions include wildlife-rich rainforests, volcanos, beaches and colonial-era architecture.

Facts

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• Full name: Republic of Nicaragua
• Population: 5.7 million (UN, 2009)
• Capital: Managua
• Area: 120,254 sq km (46,430 sq miles)
• Major languages: Spanish, English, indigenous languages
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 70 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 gold cordoba = 100 centavos
• Main exports: Coffee, meat, shellfish, sugar, tobacco, cattle, gold
• GNI per capita: US $1080 (World Bank, 2008)
• Internet domain: .ni
• International dialling code: +505

Leaders

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President: Daniel Ortega

Left-wing Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega made his political comeback in the November 2006 elections, having led Nicaragua through revolution and a civil war before being voted out in 1990. He took office again in January 2007.

Daniel Ortega toned down his fiery rhetoric for the 2006 campaign

Mr Ortega has sought to calm fears about his Marxist past. He says he will make no major economic changes and he backs a regional free trade deal with the US.

At his inauguration, he advocated a new path for Nicaragua, away from what he called the savage capitalism that had mired millions in poverty.

Washington says it will work with him if he shows a commitment to Nicaragua's democratic future. The president is likely to maintain close ties with fellow socialist leaders in the region, particularly Venezuela and Cuba.

In 2009 he announced plans to change to constitution to allow to stand for another term as president.

Born in 1945, the young Mr Ortega joined the Sandinista movement in 1963. He rose rapidly through its ranks and was a leading player in the guerrilla war against dictator Anastasio Somoza. He was imprisoned several times.

Media

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For most Nicaraguans radio and TV are the main sources of news. There are more than 100 radio stations, many of them in the capital, and several TV networks. Cable TV is available in most urban areas.

The print media are varied and partisan, representing pro- and anti-government positions.

The press

• La Prensa - daily
• El Nuevo Diario - daily
• Confidencial - weekly

Television

• Nicavision Canal 12 - commercial
• Canal 10 - commercial
• Telenica Canal 8 - commercial
• Canal 4 - commercial
• Televicentro Canal 2 - commercial

Radio

• Radio Corporacion - commercial
• Radio Mundial - commercial
• Radio Nicaragua - government-owned
• Radio Sandino - Sandinista-controlled
• Radio Pirata - private, Managua music station