Nic·a·ra·gua (n k  -rä gw) A country of Central America on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Various Indian peoples, including the Miskito, inhabited the area when Columbus visited in 1502. Spanish settlement began in 1524. The colony was ruled as part of Guatemala until 1821, when the entire region gained independence. Since its designation as a republic in 1838, Nicaragua has had a turbulent history, with frequent intervention by foreign powers. Managua is the capital and the largest city. Population: 5,680,000. Ni ca·raguan adj. & n. |   |
| Nicaragua, Lake The largest lake of Central America, in southwest Nicaragua. The freshwater lake contains fish, such as tuna and sharks, usually found only in salt water because it was part of the Caribbean Sea until land masses rose around it in prehistoric times. |
Nicaragua [ˌnɪkəˈrægjʊə -gwə (Spanish) nikaˈraγwa]
n
1. (Placename) a republic in Central America, on the Caribbean and the Pacific: colonized by the Spanish from the 1520s; gained independence in 1821 and was annexed by Mexico, becoming a republic in 1838. Official language: Spanish. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: córdoba. Capital: Managua. Pop.: 4 918 000 (2001 est.). Area: 131 812 sq. km (50 893 sq. miles)
2. (Placename) Lake. a lake in SW Nicaragua, separated from the Pacific by an isthmus 19 km (12 miles) wide: the largest lake in Central America. Area: 8264 sq. km (3191 sq. miles)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Nicaragua - a republic in Central America; achieved independence from Spain in 1821Central America - the isthmus joining North America and South America; extends from the southern border of Mexico to the northern border of Colombia Nicaraguan - a native or inhabitant of Nicaragua |
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