Geography of Managua
Managua Nicaragua, the nation's capital, largest city, and chief industrial center. It lies on the shore of Lake Managua, 28 miles (45 km) from the Pacific Ocean. The city's cultural institutions include the National Museum and the Central American University. Managua is served by the Inter-American Highway and a railway and has an international airport.
Managua was a large Indian settlement when the Spanish arrived in about 1520. It remained of secondary importance to Granada and Leon until it was made the capital by compromise in the 1850's. U.S. Marines were twice stationed there, in 1912-25 and 1926-33. Disastrous earthquakes occurred in 1931 and 1972. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch caused severe damage to the city.
Population: 930,000.