Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. It borders Honduras to the north, Costa Rica to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

The country has three distinct geographic regions: the western Pacific lowlands, with fertile valleys where most of the population lives; the north-central highlands, home to the Amerrisque Mountains; and the eastern Caribbean lowlands, also known as the Mosquito Coast. On the Pacific side lie the two largest lakes in Central America, Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua. The landscape also includes forests, valleys, and volcanoes, making the country a biodiversity hotspot. More than 20% of its land is under protection.

Nicaragua has a tropical climate with little seasonal variation. Temperature and rainfall depend largely on elevation: the lowlands are generally hot and dry, while the highlands enjoy a more temperate climate. The country is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, being part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, and it is also vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms due to its position between the Pacific and the Caribbean.

Nicaragua is a biodiversity hotspot, home to tropical rainforests, cloud forests, wetlands, and volcanic landscapes that support thousands of plant and animal species. Over 20% of the country is protected in national parks and reserves, making it one of Central America’s most ecologically rich destinations.

Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake in the world where one can find sharks –  specifically bull sharks that have adapted to swim up the San Juan River from the Caribbean Sea!