Debt - external:
$4.573 billion (2004 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$541.8 million (2003)

Currency (code):
gold cordoba (NIO)

Currency code:
NIO

Exchange rates:
gold cordobas per US dollar - 15.937 (2004), 15.105 (2003), 14.251
(2002), 13.372 (2001), 12.684 (2000)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Nicaragua

Telephones - main lines in use:
171,600 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
202,800 (2002)

Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate system being upgraded by foreign
investment
domestic: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being
expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System
international: country code - 505; satellite earth stations - 1
Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)