Granada-Nicaragua
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The city of Granada, Nicaragua

Granada, a historic Nicaraguan city on the edge of a huge lake with numerous islands, and boasting an impressive volcano, is one of the most important destinations in the whole Central American region.
Granada used to be the site where Native Nicaraguans, belonging to the tribe Xalteva, lived until the arrival of Spaniards. On this site, in 1524, Spaniards founded Granada. Today, Xalteva is one of Granada's largest neighborhoods. Granada with an estimated population of about 116,000 (2005), it is just a short distance form Costa Rica.

Location. Granada is the capital city of territorial department of Granada. The city is located on the western shores of Lake Nicaragua (also know as Lake Cocibolca). The city is about 46 km west of the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua.

Granada is a great operation base for visitors. From its small port, several boats depart to different islands and cities within Lake Nicaragua. Notably, the main destinations include las isletas, isla Zaptera and isla Ometepe.

Believed to be the oldest city of Nicaragua, Granada was erected by the Spanish conquistadors in the mainland and still remains in the same place it was founded.

At the southern edge of Granada, there stands the impressive and massive Mombacho volcano with a height of 1345 meters. It is very noticeable in this lowland area. This extinct volcano is covered with unique vegetation, which traps the moisture that fertilizes the lake and surrounding area.

Mombacho presents a huge crater open to the south in addition to two other small and deep craters in its western summit, clouds and inaccessible forests.

The Granada coast on Lake Nicaragua is about 65 kilometers. To the north between the rivers and Tipitapa Malacatoya, the land is low and muddy, which are excellent conditions used for rice cultivation.

From Granada port Asese, there is access to the little island archipelago of “Las Isletas” a group of 365 islands separated by water channels between and greenery.

According to some historians, these little cute islands resulted from the collapse of the ancient slopes of the North-East side of Mombacho volcano. Other people argued the islands resulted from the explosion and fragmentation of an ancient volcanic caldera, which had formed before the lake.

Big Zapatera Island is also the remainder of an extinct volcano very demolished by erosion and contains a crater lake. In the lake there is several types of fish, including salt water species of cod fish, sharks, and some fresh water local species such as chulines, guavinas, and several species of mojarras guapote, sea bass, Machacas, sardines. 

Economically the city has a variety of resources including coffee, basic grains, sugar cane, citrus, rice, livestock, fisheries, industry, leather and wood crafts. But in recent years, its economic potential has turned to be based more on tourism.

Nicaragua

Nicaragua is located at the heart of Central America. As the largest country, it is at the same time the least populated. Nicaragua borders Honduras to the North and Costa Rica to the south, and it is a tropical place with numerous lakes, volcanoes, and vast areas of forest.  As with as the rest of Americas, this country is located in the Western Hemisphere and faces great challenges for nature preservation and sustainable development.

Nicaragua has an area of approximately 131 812 squared kilometers, including lakes and coastal lagoons. After several land disputes and the loss of their historical territory to its neighbors, Nicaragua remains the largest territorial country in Central America.

The weather seasons are only two; the rainy season –locally called ‘winter’- from November through April; and the dry season –locally called ‘summer’ that runs from May trough October. Temperatures are cooler in the Mountainous central region. For the lowlands in the Pacific and the Caribbean coast, the heat and humidity is particularly intense at the end of the dry season. The weather is particularly nice during December through February.

According with the Geological History, Nicaragua is divided into the following regions:
 
1. The Pacific coast, with many volcanoes, the plains and the larger lakes (with numerous islands in them).
2. The Central region with northern the plateau and numerous mountain ridges.
3. The Caribbean coast, with
numerous rivers and coastal lagoons.

This geographical division matches Nicaragua’s cultural diversity.

The capital city of Nicaragua is Managua, but other important cities include Granada, Masaya, Leon, Esteli, Matagalpa and San Juan del Sur Rivas which make up the tourist corridor of Nicaragua.

Also part of Nicaragua’s feature are the geothermal steam, mineral deposits, and archaeological treasures buried for thousands of years.

Volunteer in Nicaragua. Volunteering allows you to be more than just a tourist; you get to immerse in a new culture and have the chance to help others while experiencing the adventure of a lifetime, and even learning Spanish in Nicaragua. (see full info).

Volunteer Nicaragua Program: Imagining you making a difference in other people’s lives is so much rewarding. You have the chance to help those who are really in need and become a member of their community even for a span of time. (see full info).

Your study and volunteer abroad plans. Studying abroad is a serious decision to make, and we believe. It will surely take time, effort and resources, of course. (see full info).

Necessity for international volunteer experience. On the other hand, goals of schools should not only focus on nurturing and educating students but on prepare them to be globally competitive by means of adding international experience to education curriculum (see full info).

Go abroad and be a volunteer in Nicaragua There’s nothing quite like volunteering as a way to experience a culture beyond its attractions and sights. (see full info).

Choosing Nicaragua as your volunteer abroad destination, People volunteer for a variety of reasons, but the essence is to help others. Be sure you agree with the…(see full info).

Studying abroad over economic meltdown. Considering today’s global economic instability, education will surely be affected. (see full info).  

• Arlen in Nicaragua who is experienced to teach Spanish to foreigners via “Learning Spanish Online Webcam” program.

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