Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: vacant chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, [1] (202) 939-6573 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul A. TRIVELLI embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: P.O. Box 327 telephone: [505] 266-6010 FAX: [505] 266-3861
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with
the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of
arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to
the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by
the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in
the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five
blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Economy Nicaragua
Economy - overview:
Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere,
has low per capita income and widespread underemployment.
Distribution of income is one of the most unequal on the globe.
While the country has progressed toward macroeconomic stability in
the past few years, GDP annual growth has been far too low to meet
the country's needs, forcing the country to rely on international
economic assistance to meet fiscal and debt financing obligations.
Nicaragua qualified in early 2004 for some $4.5 billion in foreign
debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
initiative and in November 2006 obtained over $800 million in debt
relief from the Inter-American Development Bank. In October 2005,
Nicaragua ratified the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA), which will provide an opportunity for Nicaragua to attract
investment, create jobs, and deepen economic development. Energy
shortages, however, are a serious bottleneck to growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$16.83 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.816 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.3% industry: 25.8% services: 56.8% (2006 est.)