This is a list of the largest cities in Nicaragua by population.
| 2021 class | City | Department | 2021 Population [1] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Managua | Managua Department | 1,061,286 | ||||||
| 2 | León | León Department | 213,718 | ||||||
| 3 | Masaya | Masaya Department | - | - | 4 | Tipitapa | Tipitapa Department | 156,523 | |
| 5 | Ciudad Sandino | Managua Department | 129,610 | ||||||
| 6 | Chinandega | Chinandega Department | 114,417 | ||||||
| 7 | Matagalpa | Matagalpa Department | 111,258 | ||||||
| 8 | Esteli | Esteli Department | 110,329 | ||||||
| 9 | Granada | Granada Department | 104,980 |
Central America is a subregion of North America. Its political boundaries are defined as bordering Mexico to the north, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. Central America is usually defined as consisting of seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Within Central America is the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, which extends from southern Mexico to southeastern Panama. Due to the presence of several active geologic faults and the Central America Volcanic Arc, there is a high amount of seismic activity in the region, such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, which has resulted in death, injury, and property damage.
Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is the geographically largest country in Central America, comprising 130,370 km2 (50,340 sq mi). With a population of 7,142,529 as of 2024, it is the third-most populous country in Central America after Guatemala and Honduras.
According to the 2022 revision of the World Population Prospects, Nicaragua has a population of 6,850,540..According to a 2014 research published in the journal Genetics and Molecular Biology, European ancestry predominates in 69% of Nicaraguans, followed by African ancestry in 20%, and lastly indigenous ancestry in 11%. A Japanese research of "Genomic Components in America's demography" demonstrated that, on average, the ancestry of Nicaraguans is 58–62% European, 28% Native American, and 14% African, with a very small Near Eastern contribution. Non-genetic data from the CIA World Factbook establish that from Nicaragua's 2016 population of 5,966,798, around 69% are mestizo, 17% white, 5% Native American, and 9% black and other races. This fluctuates with changes in migration patterns. The population is 58% urban as of 2013.
Managua is the capital and largest city of Nicaragua, and one of the largest cities in Central America. Located on the shores of Lake Managua, the city had an estimated population of 1,055,247 as of 2020, and a population of 1,401,687 in its metropolitan area. The city also serves as the seat of Managua Department.
León is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. Founded by the Spanish as Santiago de los Caballeros de León, it is the capital and largest city of León Department. As of 2022, the municipality of León has an estimated population of 213,718.
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 105,862 (2022), it is Nicaragua's ninth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.
Jinotega is the capital city of the Department of Jinotega in north-central Nicaragua.
Nueva Segovia is a department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of 3,491 km2 and has a population of 275,291. Nueva Segovia is also home to the indigenous Chorotegas and Nahuas. The capital is Ocotal.
Estelí, officially Villa de San Antonio de Pavia de Estelí is a city and municipality within the Estelí department. It is the 8th largest city in Nicaragua due to the high urbanization of its municipality, at 84.8%, with an urban population of 111,244. It is also the eighth-largest municipality, and an active commercial center in the north, known as "the Diamond of the Segovia" and the de facto capital of the north.
Nicaraguans are people inhabiting in, originating or having significant heritage from Nicaragua. Most Nicaraguans live in Nicaragua, although there is also a significant Nicaraguan diaspora, particularly in Costa Rica and the United States with smaller communities in other countries around the world. There are also people living in Nicaragua who are not Nicaraguans because they were not born or raised in Nicaragua nor have they gained citizenship.
Corinto is a town, with a population of 18,602, on the northwest Pacific coast of Nicaragua in the province of Chinandega. The municipality was founded in 1863.
Bluefields is the capital of the South Caribbean Autonomous Region in Nicaragua. It was also the capital of the former Kingdom of Mosquitia, and later the Zelaya Department, which was divided into North and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions. It is located on Bluefields Bay at the mouth of the Bluefields River in the municipality of the same name.
Matagalpa is a city in Nicaragua which is the capital of the department of Matagalpa. The city has a population of 112,697, while the population of the department is 606,643. Matagalpa is Nicaragua's seventh largest city, the largest in the country's interior, and one of the most commercially active outside of Managua. Matagalpa is known as the "Pearl of the North" and "Land of Eternal Spring."
San Carlos is the capital city of the municipality of San Carlos and of the Río San Juan Department of Nicaragua.
Chinandega is a city and the departmental seat of Chinandega department in Nicaragua. It is also the administrative centre of the surrounding municipality of the same name. It is Nicaragua's 2nd most important city (economy) and 6th largest city, with a population of 115,067, and a total of 137,539 in the municipality. It is located about 134 kilometres (83 mi) northwest of Managua and about 72 kilometres (45 mi) southwest of El Guasaule, on the border with Honduras. Chinandega is situated about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the Pacific Ocean.
Masaya is the capital city of Masaya Department in Nicaragua. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast of Managua. It is located just east of the Masaya Volcano, an active volcano from which the city takes its name. With an estimated population of 138,657 (2022), it is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city, and is culturally known as the City of Flowers.
Religion in Nicaragua is predominantly Christian and forms a significant part of the culture of the country as well as its constitution. Religious freedom and religious tolerance is promoted by the Nicaraguan constitution yet the government has in recent years detained, imprisoned, and likely tortured numerous Catholic leaders, according to multiple news outlets. As of 2020, 79% of believers stated they are Christian. In 2024, M&R Consultores found that 39.7% identified as Protestant and 30.9% as Catholic.
A Nicaraguan American is an American of Nicaraguan descent. They are also referred to as "nica" or "nicoya".
The official language of Nicaragua is Spanish; however, Nicaraguans on the Caribbean coast speak indigenous languages and also English. The communities located on the Caribbean coast also have access to education in their native languages. Additionally, Nicaragua has four extinct indigenous languages.
Nicaragua–Spain relations are the diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Spain. Both nations are members of the Association of Academies of the Spanish Language and the Organization of Ibero-American States.