Relief and volcanoes
Nicaragua has three types of relief: a chain of volcanoes between the lakes and the Pacific coast, making this region a seismic risk zone; the highlands, with an average altitude of 600 metres, which cover the interior of the country from northwest to southeast; several mountain ranges that cut across the highlands from east to west, the highest of which is the Cordillera Isabelia, and the coastal plain overlooking the Caribbean Sea, known as the Mosquito Coast, which extends 72 km inland and is partially covered by tropical forest.
The country has over 50 volcanoes, but most of them are inactive, with only 6 active, forming a chain of cones and craters stretching some 300 km.
The first volcano is Cosigüina, located on the peninsula of the same name in the Gulf of Fonseca; it is followed by the Maribios volcanic chain, which ends with Momotombito, an islet in Lake Xolotlán; other volcanoes follow, such as Masaya, Maderas and Concepción, the latter two forming the island of Ometepe. Some volcanoes are several thousand years old. The most recent to appear in Nicaragua was the Cerro Negro volcano, in 1850.
The volcanic area is divided into three parts:
The sunken tectonic trench, which lies between the center of the country and the volcanic ridge. The country's two great lakes are located in this trench. A series of 25 volcanoes.
The Pacific coastal strip is a narrow plain that brings the volcanic ridge into contact with the sea. It features low-lying coasts to the north-west and high cliffs to the south-west.
The central plateau, or Segovia, is the country's mountainous zone. It stretches from northwest to southeast, from Honduras to Costa Rica. This is where the country's highest peak is located: the 2,107-meter-high Mogotón.
The Caribbean plains stretch from the foot of the central plateau to the coast. This is a broad region of very recent fluvial deposits with a strong marshy character. The structure also extends into Honduras and Costa Rica.
Lakes and rivers
Nicaragua is a country of large lakes and abundant rivers. We can distinguish between the Caribbean, Pacific and interior watersheds. The Caribbean is home to the largest and most abundant rivers, many of which are navigable. The most important are the Río Coco, which borders Honduras, the Río San Juan, which borders Costa Rica, the Tuma, the Siquia and the Indio. The Pacific side of the country has short, fast-flowing, intermittent rivers. The inner side is formed by rivers that flow into the lakes of the rift valley. This is an endoreic basin of volcanic origin. The most important features of this basin are the two large lakes (Managua and Nicaragua), which are linked by the Tipitapa River, and flow into the Atlantic by the San Juan River. The río San Juan-lake Nicaragua complex was the first proposal to open a canal between the Atlantic and the Pacific, although the final project was the Panama Canal. In addition to rivers, lakes are also very important. The largest is Lake Nicaragua, or Cocibolca, with 8,264 km². Nicaragua's second-largest lake is Lake Managua, or Xolotlán, with 1,042 km². These two lakes account for 10% of the country's surface area. The rest of Nicaragua's lakes correspond to the marshy areas of the Caribbean plains, most of which are lagoons very close to the coast. These include the Laguna de las Perlas.
Nicaragua's islands
Nicaragua has islands and islets on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as in lakes Cocibolca (Grand lac du Nicaragua) and Xolotlán (lac de Managua).
However, the country's largest island is located in Lake Nicaragua. It is the island of Ometepe, with a surface area of 276 km².
In July 2023, the International Court of Justice in The Hague confirmed that the San Andrés and Providencia islands are indeed Colombian, despite Nicaragua's claims.
The three most surprising islands are :
Ometepe, the island between the volcanoes. Ometepe Island is one of Nicaragua's must-see sites, set in the middle of Central America's largest lake, with two volcanoes along its 30-kilometre length. The island is known for the peaceful pace of life of its inhabitants, which is also infectious for visitors. It's best to rent a motorcycle, bicycle or car to explore the island and discover some of its nooks and crannies, such as Ojo del Agua, Charco Verde or Punta Jesús María. For those looking for a little more adventure, you can climb the Concepción volcano. It's a tough climb and you'll need a guide, but the views from the summit are unique.
Corn Islands or las Islas del Maíz. In the Caribbean Sea, there's an archipelago that few tourists visit, which belongs to Nicaragua and is a veritable paradise. This archipelago is made up of two small sister islands known as Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island. The two islands are so small that they can easily be circumnavigated on foot or by bike. We recommend climbing Mount Pleasant Hill, the highest point from which to admire the most beautiful sunsets. The discovery program on these islands corresponds to that of the Caribbean: relaxation, tropical cuisine, palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear waters and, for sea lovers, snorkeling and scuba diving. The smaller island is the more beautiful and wilder of the two.
Cayos Perlas. A group of 361 islets scattered over an area of around 280 square kilometers in the Caribbean. They are covered in vegetation and bordered by white sandy beaches. They are also an important nesting site for turtles, such as the endangered hawksbill turtle, as well as for dolphins and other fish species. Virtually uninhabited, swimming and diving are possible in its warm, clear waters. Excursions are organized at different times of the year. The cayos are mainly accessible by boat.
