Managua

Managua is situated on the southern banks of Lake Xolotlán, more often referred to as Lake Managua. Except for the freshwater sharks found solely in the bigger Lake Cocibolca in southern Nicaragua, Lake Xolotlán comprises the same fish species as the larger Lake Cocibolca. Once a picturesque centerpiece of Managua, the lake has been contaminated since 1927 due to the discharge of chemical and waste water. A new sewage system and the redirection of waste water to a new waste water treatment facility in Las Mercedes, sponsored by the German government, were opened in 2009 to clean the lake. The new waste water treatment plant is projected to be the biggest in Central America.

These advancements have alleviated long-held worries about water contamination and the plight of indigenous animals, and have moved some inhabitants closer to the historic city center and the rest of the mainland.

The city of Managua covers an area of approximately 544 square kilometers (210 square miles), extending primarily south from the south shore of Lake Managua. The lakeshore is 55 metres (180 feet) above sea level, while the city rises to almost 700 metres (2,297 feet) above sea level in the Sierras de Managua farther south.

Due to the city’s geological location on fault lines, seismologists anticipate that a strong earthquake will strike Managua every 50 years or fewer.

Managua serves as the economic hub and primary provider of services for the bulk of the country. With a population of more than two million, the city is home to several important national and international corporations. It is home to several enterprises that manufacture a variety of items. Wal-Mart, Telefonica, Union Fenosa, and Parmalat are among the multinational firms with offices and activities in Managua. Among the city’s primary goods are beer, coffee, medicines, textiles, footwear, matches, and building materials. Her primary exports are beef, coffee, cotton, and other commodities. Managua is also the political, social, cultural, educational, and economic capital of Nicaragua. Simultaneously, the city is serviced by the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, the principal international gateway for the country, as well as the newly renovated regional Los Brasiles airport and Punta Huete military aviation base.

Managua is also home to the country’s largest banks, including the Banco de la Producción (BANPRO), the Banco de América Central (BAC), the Banco de Finanzas (BDF), the Banco de Crédito Centroamericano (Bancentro), and the Lafise Group. Several new hotels have opened in Managua, including Crowne Plaza, Best Western, InterContinental, Holiday Inn, and Hilton. Along with several hotels, Managua has developed four retail facilities or malls in the western style, including Plaza Inter, Centro Comercial Metrocentro, Galerias Santo Domingo, and Multicentro Las Americas, with many more in the works.

Nicaragua has a well-developed local market system that serves the bulk of the country’s population. Mercado Roberto Huembes, Mercado Oriental, and Mercado Israel Lewites, among other sites, sell a variety of domestic goods, food, clothes, electronics, building materials, and other contracting supplies. The markets are quite popular, since many backpackers, ecotourists, and budget travelers frequent them for supplies and souvenirs.

Managua is likewise seeing an increase in real estate prices and a housing scarcity at the moment. Foreigners, mostly from Anglo-America and Europe, are growing interested in post-retirement living in Nicaragua, since the nation has been highlighted in several media sources for its high safety rating on key indices and affordable tourist lifestyle.