Located across and north from the capital’s Central Park, Managua is noted for Rubén Darío park and monument. Both commemorate Rubén Darío who many believe is Nicaragua’s top poet and an influential literary figures for the entire Spanish-speaking world.
Nicaragua exported US$5.4 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2016. The most valuable Nicaraguan exports include insulated wire and cable, T-shirts, coffee, gold, jerseys, seafood and cigars.
Capital Facts for Managua, Nicaragua: Quick Reference
Geography
Capital landmarks: Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square), Old St. James Cathedral, Rubén Dario National Theater, Doctor Roberto Incer Barquero Library, Museum of Acahualinca and the Dennis Martínez National Stadium
Famous People
Below, you will find 10 of the most famous people born in Managua, Nicaragua:
- Bianca Jagger, celebrity ex-spouse of Mick Jagger (born May 2, 1945)
- Cristiana Frixione, Miss Universe contestant (born Feb. 20, 1984)
- Alexis Arguello, famous boxer (born Apr. 19, 1952)
- Katia Cardenal, singer-songwriter (born Jun. 19, 1963)
- DJ Craze, champion disc jockey (born Nov. 19, 1977)
- Daniela Torres Bonilla, Miss Universe contestant (born Jan. 22, 1990)
- Frank Richardson, Olympic swimmer (born Apr. 21, 1962)
- Magdiel Gutiérrez, Olympic wrestler (born Apr. 14, 1968)
- Lucia Castanyeda, Olympic female weightlifter (born Jul. 8, 1981)
- Geraldine Arce, Olympic swimmer (born Feb. 1, 1988)
Note: Data for our Famous People tab was sourced from Google searches mostly targeting published Wikipedia articles specific to each person’s name.
Population
Demonym for a Nicaragua resident: Nicaraguan
Population: 990,000 (Managua)
Density: 16,500 people per square mile (6,371 per square kilometer)
Population: 1,484,462 (Managua Department)
Density: 1,110 people per square mile (428 per square kilometer)
Population: 5,966,798 (Nicaragua)
Density: 129 people per square mile (50 per square kilometer)
Financial
GDP: US$31.33 billion in 2015 (for Nicaragua, per CIA World Factbook)
GDP per person: $5,000
Note: The above country-level GDP metrics are on a Purchasing Power Parity basis and are in U.S. dollars. Credible city GDP statistics for Managua were unavailable.
Official currency used in Managua: Nicaraguan córdoba
Research
Research Sources:
Brookings Institution, Global Metro Monitor Report (includes GDP data). Accessed on January 5, 2017
Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook, Field Listing: Major Urban Areas. Accessed on January 5, 2017
CityMetric, Where are largest cities in the world? 2015 edition. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Demographia, World Urban Area, 12th Annual Edition. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Official Government Website, ALMA-Managua City Hall. Accessed on January 5, 2017
The World Factbook, Central America and Caribbean: Nicaragua, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Wikimedia Commons, City Flags. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Note: Some city flags were unavailable. If so, attribution belongs to Wikimedia Commons for pertinent country flags.
Wikipedia, Managua. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Wikipedia, Departments of Nicaragua. Accessed on January 5, 2017
Wikipedia, Nicaragua. Accessed on January 5, 2017
The city of Managua encompasses a land area measuring 60 square miles (155 square kilometers), and was home to an estimated 990,000 residents in 2015 according to Demographia.
Managua is also capital of the larger geographical entity known as the Managua Department which extends over a total land area of 1,338 square miles (3,465 square kilometers). Managua Department’s population is an estimated 1.5 million.
Nicaragua is the largest country on the Central American isthmus. Its national borders form a perimeter for 46,328 square miles (119,990 square kilometers) with which a projected six million Nicaraguans lived at July 2016.
Population density is higher within Nicaragua’s capital city limits with an average 16,500 residents per square mile (6,400 per square kilometer). Density drops significantly to an average 1,100 people per square mile (430 per square kilometer) for the larger Managua Department.
For Nicaragua as a country, overall population density plunges to 130 inhabitants per square mile (50 per square kilometer).
Nicaraguans celebrate Independence Day as a public holiday each September 15.