9781422286579

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Nicaragua

southwest. With an area of 3,156 square miles (8,157 sq. km), it is the largest lake in Central America. The country’s physical geography divides it into three major zones: Pacific lowlands; the wetter, cooler central highlands, and the Caribbean lowlands. Pacific Lowlands: Where Most Live The Pacific lowlands, lakes, and western volcanic mountains of Nicaragua—some of which are active—contain the majority of the country’s population, most of its cities, and most of its industry. Nicaragua is mainly urban. In other words, most people live in towns and cities on the Pacific side of Nicaragua. Managua, the capital, is the largest, most developed city in Nicaragua, with a population of nearly 1 million. There are six freshwater lakes near the city of Managua: Lake Managua; Lake Tiscapa; Lake Asososca, which acts as the city’s reservoir of drinking water; Lake Jiloá, which has bitter-tasting water and is a favorite cay— a low island or reef of sand or coral. infertile— inadequate for growing. resin— a natural substance formed by plant secretions and used chiefly in varnishes, printing inks, plastics, and in medicine. tectonic— having to do with the plates of the earth’s crust, or surface. terrain— shape of the landscape. trade wind— a wind blowing almost constantly in one direction. Words to Understand in this Chapter