Nicaragua People

Nicaragua has a population of 5.7 million people whose racially and ethnically diverse composition reflects nation’s rich history. Mestizos, who compose almost 70% of the country’s population, almost exclusively occupy the western half of the country, living in and around urban centers. Descendents of European settlers make up about 17% of the population, while descendents of African slaves comprise another 5%. Only 5% of the modern-day citizenry is accounted for by the nation’s indigenous peoples, the largest groups of which are the Miskito, Rama, and Sumu.

Language

Like most countries in Central America, Nicaragua’s primary language is Spanish—or Nicañol, as Nicaraguan Spanish is sometimes called—which is spoken by 90% of the population. Although there is some English along the Caribbean coast due to lingering British influences and American commercialization, it is better to be safe than sorry and always have your translator—human, dictionary, or otherwise—at hand. The Nicaraguan accent and dialect are different from those of other Spanish-speaking nations. Nicas are likely to drop the “s” from many words, making it harder for you to understand but easier for them to speak. Though much less common, the indigenous languages of Somo, Rama, and Miskito are still used, the latter being the most prevalent of the three.

Religion

Religion, predominantly Roman Catholicism , is an important part of Nicaraguan culture. Aside from Catholics and indigenous peoples, who follow their own religions, the rest of Nicaragua’s inhabitants are largely Protestant . Though still very much a minority religion, Protestantism has expanded rapidly in Nicaragua since the 1990s.

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