Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America. There are millions of people of diverse backgrounds living there, as well as thousands of different wildlife communities. The majority of the population is mestizo, or a combination of natives and Spanish. Honduras borders the country to the northwest, the Caribbean to the east, Costa Rica to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest.
After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Nicaragua became a part of the Mexican empire for some time. After that, it joined a group of neighboring countries with a central government in Guatemala City called Provinces of Central America. Nicaragua became independent in 1838.
Below are some historical photos showing everyday life in Nicaragua in the 1950s.