NICARAGUA

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Context

• At least 20 passengers from Gujarat who were on the Nicaragua-bound flight, which was pulled back mid-route from France recently, were questioned by the authorities in an attempt to expose a potential illegal immigration network.

About Nicaragua

• It is the largest of the Central American republics and a country in the region.
• Borders: Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south encircle the nation.
• The country's eastern border is shared by the Caribbean Sea while its western border is provided by the Pacific Ocean.
• History: It was the only Latin American nation to have experienced simultaneous Spanish and British colonisation.
• After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, it spent a number of years as a part of the Mexican Empire.
• Then it joined the Provinces of Central America, a confederation of neighbouring nations centred on Guatemala City.
• In 1838, Nicaragua broke away from the group and attained complete independence.
• Form of Government:
• It is a Republic. The president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term.
• Power is divided among four governmental branches: the executive, legislative, judicial, and Supreme Electoral Council.
• Capital: Managua
• Official Languages: Spanish, English, indigenous languages
• Currency: Nicaraguan córdoba (NIO)
• Population:
• It is made up mostly of mestizos(people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry).
• Most people live in the western Pacific lowland region between the Pacific coast and Lake Managua.