Managua is the capital and largest city of Nicaragua. It is one of Central America’s warmest capital cities, and it is only 163 feet above sea level. Managua was only recognized as an Indian town during the Spanish colonial period, outranked by the relatively nearby Spanish cities of León and Granada. After these two rival cities had exhausted themselves in internal conflict, it was chosen as a permanent capital in 1857. The city is surrounded by rich agricultural lands cultivated primarily for coffee, cotton, and corn (maize).
In the 20th century, two devastating earthquakes struck the city. Hurricane Mitch caused further damage in 1998. During these earthquakes, old buildings were damaged or destroyed, and new streets and monuments were built in their place. Monuments are usually used instead of maps to show the location of certain places.
Here are some fascinating photos that show people of Managua in 1985 by American photographer Janet Delaney.
