MANAGUA, CAPITAL CITY

 

Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is also the largest city in Nicaragua. It is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua. The city was declared the national capital in 1852. Previously, the capital had alternated between the cities of León and Granada. The city has a population of about 1,680,100; composed predominantly of mestizos, whites and Spanish-speaking criollos (unmixed Europeans).

Founded in 1819 and given the name of Leal Villa de Santiago de Managua, its original purpose was to serve as a rural fishing village. Efforts to make Managua the capital of Nicaragua began in 1824, after the Central American nations became independent from Spain. Managua's location between the rival cities of León and Granada made it an ideal compromise site.

The city has been witness to the rise and fall of political powers throughout Nicaragua's history and suffered two devastating earthquakes over the course of the 20th century. Managua is the economic, political, cultural, commercial and industrial center of Nicaragua.

Geography

Managua is Central America's greenest metropolis.

Managua is located on the southern shores of Lake Managua (also known as Lake Xolotlán). Lake Xolotlán contains the same fish species as Lake Cocibolca, except for the freshwater sharks found exclusively in the latter. Once a Managuan scenic highlight, the lake has been polluted from the dumping of chemical and waste water since 1927.

A waste water treatment plant funded by the German government to decontaminate the lake is expected to be the largest in Central America and will be completed in 2008. View of Lake Managua from Tipitapa.Managua extends about 544 km along Lake Managua at an altitude of 55 metres (165 ft) above sea level, gaining altitude towards the sierras de Managua where it is over 970 metres (2910 ft) above sea level.

Lagoons within city limits

Managua features four smaller lagoons within the city limits. The most centrally located is the Tiscapa Lagoon located in the Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve. The Laguna de Tiscapa (Tiscapa Lagoon), south of the old downtown. Tiscapa Lagoon is of volcanic origin and was formed approximately 10,000 years ago. Asososca lagoon, to the west, is Managua's most important source of drinking water.

Asososca is located at the beginning of Carretera al Sur (Southern Highway), close to the connection with the Carretera Nueva a León (New Highway Via León). Nejapa lagoon, south of the Asososca lagoon, is also along the Southern Highway. The fourth lagoon is Acahualinca lagoon, which is located to the Northwest. This lagoon, which gives its name to a nearby district to the east, is located on the shores of Lake Managua. This lagoon is mostly noted for having shallow waters.

Climate

Managua, like much of Western Nicaragua except for the Sierras, has a tropical climate with constant temperatures averaging between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The months of December and January are chilly, whereas March and April are humid and somewhat arid.

Plaza de la Revolución

Plaza de la Revolución (Plaza of the Revolution), which was formerly known as Plaza de la República (Plaza of the Republic) is home to Managua's Historical Center. Managua's Center was destroyed by the 1972 earthquake. Managua, to date, has not rebuilt its center.

The now Historical Center is located near the Lago de Managua and many building are partially intact, however, some are now abandoned. Some of the more important buildings which managed to survive include the Catedral de Santiago (Old Cathedral), the Rubén Dario National Theater, and the National Palace of Culture. Within the Plaza of the Revolution is the Parque Central (Central Park) which contains many historical monuments, many dedicated to inspirational people, national heroes and poets. Some of these include the Tomb of Comandante Carlos Fonseca, founder of the FSLN, which is guarded by an eternal flame.

Near Central Park is the Rubén Darío park, dedicated to Nicaragua's national poet. There is also a park dedicated to the Guatemalan writer Miguel Ángel Asturias. Monuments include the monument of El Guerrillero sin Nombre (The Nameless Guerrilla Soldier) and Monumento a la Paz (Monument for Peace)

Old Cathedral of Managua

The old Cathedral of Managua was designed in, and shipped from Belgium in 1920. The cathedral survived the 1931 earthquake but was extremely damaged due to the 1972 earthquake and was condemned, which led to the construction of the new cathedral of Managua, the newest constructed Roman Catholic cathedral. However, in recent years, the restoration of the old cathedral has appeared to be possible and is currently awaiting its renovation.

Rubén Dario National Theater

The Rubén Dario National Theater is Nicaragua's most important theater, and is one of the most modern theaters in Central America. Both national and international artists present shows, concerts, exhibitions, and cultural performances such as El Güegüense among many others. The National Theater is one of the few buildings that survived the 1972 earthquake that destroyed 90% of Managua.

National Palace of Culture

The National Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in Nicaragua. It was built by President Juan Bautista Sacasa in 1935 and it houses plenty of history. For more than 50 years, the National Palace was used as governmental office and now serves several purposes. The National Palace houses the National Archive, the National Library, as well as the National Museum which is open to the public. The museum features paintings, pre-Columbian statues, ceramics, etc. Also present inside is the National History room, as well as a room with the National Symbols. The National Palace of Culture (Palacio Nacional de la Cultura) was one of few building that survived the 1972 earthquake.

Tiscapa Lagoon (Natural Reserve)

The Tiscapa Lagoon, located inside the Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve is just south of the Managua's Historical Center. Leading up to the Lagoon is the Monumento Roosevelt (Roosevelt Monument). Another interesting monument is the statue of Sandino which is a statue of the Silhouette of General Augusto C. Sandino, Nicaragua's national hero and stands at 59 feet tall. The monument was proposed by Ernesto Cardenal and is protected by the Nicaraguan military. The Sandino monument was constructed on top of the wreckage of Somoza's presidential mansion. Also on the crater lip of Tiscapa is the Las Masmorras, a prison in which Somoza tortured current President Daniel Ortega and many other political prisoners, however, this site is closed to the public.

The reserve is located within city limits of the capital, Managua, and is a popular tourist attraction. Restaurants and stores line the walls of the lagoon. Canopy rides provide a panoramic view of the old downtown where only a few buildings survived the 1972 earthquake that destroyed 90% of the capital city, however, many new buildings and shopping malls have been built since then throughout the city due to the lack of a new center. Many pre-Columbian artifacts have been found in and around lagoon and reserve.

Dr. Roberto Incer Barquero Library

The Dr. Roberto Incer Barquero Library, located in Managua, is designated to promote Nicaraguan culture. The library has 67,000 books, free internet, a newspaper archive where users can borrow newspapers and magazines, and economical information of the Central Bank. Furthermore, the library offers a gallery in the same building, where famous Nicaraguan paintings, as well as pieces from new promising artists, are exhibited. In the numismatic hall there is a permanent exhibition of Nicaraguan coins, bills, and memorial medals from throughout Nicaragua's history.

Museum of Acahualinca

Managua is also home to the Museum of Acahualinca where the Ancient footprints of Acahualinca, fossilized Paleo-Indian footprints made some 6,000 years ago, are engraved in volcanic ash. The museum "Museo Sitio Huellas de Acahualinca" is located in west Managua in the Acahualinca neighborhood. In addition to the footprints, the museum also displays artifacts found in other localities around the country. Artifacts such as mammoth footprints, pre-Columbian tools, a skull from León Viejo, and a small collection of pottery among other archaeological objects.

Dennis Martínez National Stadium

The Dennis Martínez National Stadium was built in 1948 and was the largest stadium in Central America at the end of its construction, it survived the 1972 earthquake. The stadium was named in honor of Nicaragua first baseball player to play in Major League Baseball, it serves as a venue for baseball and football (soccer) games, as well as concerts and religious events. The Dennis Martínez National Stadium has a capacity for 40,000 making it the largest stadium in Nicaragua.

The New Cathedral

The Catedral Metropolitana de la Purisima Concepcion (Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception), more commonly referred to as La Nueva Catedral (The New Cathedral), was designed by the architect Ricardo Legorreta and inaugurated in 1993.The new cathedral was built to replace the old cathedral, which had been damaged by the 1972 earthquake. The new cathedral has created much controversy, particularly about its architectural style and finance.

Culture

Managua is home to the annual Miss Nicaragua pageant; it is the national beauty pageant of Nicaragua. The pageant is traditionally held at the Rubén Darío National Theater and has been held since 1955. The Miss Nicaragua pageant is responsible for selecting the country's representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World, and Miss International pageants (amongst others).

Gastronomy

Sushi Itto located in the Galerias Santo Domingo in Managua.Managua has an important gastronomical culture, due to the influence of immigrants and tourists, for that reason it is frequent to find food specialties of the diverse regions of Nicaragua, jointly with international ones. Managua enjoys an array of international cuisine,including, but not limited to, Argentine, Brazilian, Chinese, French, German, Indian, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, and Spanish restaurants, as well as Nicaraguan. These are accompanied by many U.S. fast food chains, as well as national fast food chains such as Tip-Top and Rosti-Pollo. A new culinary school and restaurant called Culinario Santa Lucia offers fun courses in international and local cuisines.

Festivals

Celebrating the annual "Alegria por la vida" Carnaval in 2007.Managua's most famous festival is that of its patron saint Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

It starts on the morning of August the 1st, when the "Bajada del Santo" (walk down of the saint) involves many joyful people walking and carrying the old statue of Santo Domingo from Las Sierritas Church in south Managua, to another church across the city to the north, in the area destroyed by the 1972 earthquake.

It remains here for ten days until the morning of August the 10th, when the "Subida del Santo" (walking up of the saint) returns the statue to Las Sierritas Church where it remains for the rest of the year.

Thousands of people attend this event which involves dancing, eating and drinking around marching musical bands, mainly for traditions that date back to pre-colonial times, or to ask for personal miracles, make promises, or give thanks to the saint . During the parade many people dress up in typical costumes, masks and painted bodies. Among other participants are "carrozas" (art cars and trucks) from local business companies, horseriders coming from Nicaragua and other Central American neighbouring countries to show off their horses, skills, and horserider costumes.

Another and newer festival has been taking place every year since 2003. The "Alegria por la Vida" (Happiness for Life) Carnaval is celebrated in Managua at the beginning of the month of march. There's a different slogan or theme every year. This event is celebrated with parades, floats, live music, food and dancing as well as the march of the Carnival Queen.

Museums, libraries and cultural centers

The National library holds a great amount of volumes, and affords abundant bibliographic information for anyone interested in the discovery and independence of Nicaragua. The National Palace of Culture has on show an interesting exhibition of Nicaraguan art from the periods previous to its independence. Also located inside the National Palace of Culture is the National Museum containing some highly interesting archaeological finds with some good examples of pre-Columbian pottery, statues, and other interesting finds. Managua is also home to an array of art galleries which feature pieces by both national and international artists.

Managua is home to many types of museums, some art museums include the Julio Cortazar Museum and the Archivo Fílmico de la Cinemateca Nacional. Natural history museums include the Museo del Departamento de Malacología UCA, Museo Gemológico de la Concha y el Caracol, and Museo Paleontológico “El Hato”. The Santo Domingo de Guzmán Museum is an anthropology museum. History museums include the Museo de la Revolución, Museo Casa Hacienda San Jacinto, Museo Histórico Municipal de Coritno, and Museo Parque Loma de Tiscapa.

Cultural centers in Managua include the Centro Cultural Nicaragüense Norteamericano (CCNN) (Nicaraguan-North American Culture Center), the Centro Cultural Chino Nicaragüense (Chinese Nicaraguan Culture Center), the Alliançe Française de Managua (French Alliance of Managua), among others.

Entertainment

Rotonda Ruben Dario also known as Metrocentro is the site of one of Managua's many shopping districts.
Pharaoh's Casino on Carretera Norte in Managua.
Matrixs club (bar and lounge) located near the Zona Rosa.Managua features many bars, nightclubs, casinos, theaters and cinemas. Compared to western prices, alcoholic beverages, theatre visits and cinema tickets are relatively cheap. There are cinemas in all major shopping centers; screening both English- and Spanish-language films. Foreign embassies in Managua also sponsor film festivals.

Since the late 1990s and early 2000, many casinos and karaoke bars opened and have remained popular attractions for Nicaraguans and foreign visitors. They are open to anyone above 21 years old. However there's been moral controversy about the negative effects of gambling in a country with so much poverty. Popular music includes the Palo de Mayo, Merengue, and Latin pop among other Latin music genres, as well as American pop and rock. Salsa dancing is a national pastime. Managua boasts a vibrant night life. Nightclubs and bars are abound in Managua, particularly, in the popular areas called "Zona Hippos" behind the Hilton hotel near Metrocentro and "Zona Rosa".

Aside from these activities, Managua also has a wide selection to offer in luxurious shopping malls, boutiques and department stores as well as local markets. The Mercado Roberto Huembes is where shoppers can find everything from furniture, national arts and crafts, to fruits and vegetables, and clothing. Also there are several shopping centers with department stores such as ECLIPSE, CARRION, and SIMAN which house all major Australian, American and European clothing and cosmetic brands for both men and women. Pali, La Union, and La Colonia are conventional supermarkets, which are located in several areas of the city, and sell local and imported ingredients from all over the world.

Although the act of promoting or practicing homosexuality is illegal in Nicaragua, there is a modest gay social scene in Managua. Also, as of March 2008, homosexuality is no longer illegal and no longer carries a prison sentence.

Sports

Baseball is by far, Nicaragua's most popular sport followed by football soccer and boxing. The Dennis Martínez National Stadium is home to many baseball games of Managua's Boer team. At the time of its construction in the late 1960s, it was the most modern stadium in Central America. It hosted the Baseball World Cup in 1994. Baseball was first introduced to Nicaragua in 1888 in the Caribbean coastal town of Bluefields, but didn't catch on in the towns on the Pacific coast region until 1891 when a group of mostly students originating from universities of the United States formed "La Sociedad de Recreo" (Society of Recreation) where they played various sports, however, baseball was the most popular among them.

Since the anticipation of the World Cup of 2006, there's been growing amateur interest in the practice of little football or "futbolin" among teens and adults. New private courts or "canchas" like La Meca del Futbol and La Liga, offer well conditioned courts for rent by the hour. Such establishments have played a big role in the promotion of amateur games and fun tournaments. On the professional level, the National Nicaraguan Football team has still not had the public support nor the international exposure as the regional counterparts from Central America like the Costa Rican or Honduran teams. However, with support of the FIFA, the first ever national football stadium in Managua is currently under construction. In Managua there are 2 golf courses, the better known of which is Nejapa Golf & Country Club.