Nicaragua

Total Projects: 24
Project Spending: $38,562

Nicaragua, with a population of 6 million, is Central America's largest country in area. Originally inhabited by several Amerindian groups, the area was later conquered by the Spanish in 16th century. After independence, the country weathered several military dictatorships but the Somoza regime was by far the most achieved, retaining power over the nation for over 50 years from 1927 to 1979. The regime was toppled by the Sandinistas in the Nicaraguan Revolution in 1979; however, fighting instigated by the U.S.-funded anti-Sandinista contra rebels led to the massacre of tens of thousands of Nicaraguans in violent raids. Free elections in 1990s brought Violeta Chamorro to power and the country began to restructure its damaged economy although the Sandinistas eventually triumphed upon the election of Daniel Ortega to the presidency in 2007. The Nicaraguan economy is largely dependent on agriculture which constitutes 60% of its GDP. The second poorest country in the Americas, nearly 15% of the Nicaraguan GDP is from remittances. Poverty is a significant issue although much of it is of a rural character. Nearly 70% of rural Nicaraguans live in deep poverty (World Bank).