I just wanted to share some information about the nation of Nicaragua and the city of San Bernardo.
The location and national flag of Nicaragua.
The information below about Nicaragua is from CIA World Factbook.
History: Settled as Spanish colony in the early 16th century. Gained independence from Spain in 1838.
Economy: poorest country in Central America, second poorest in Western Hemisphere.
Problems: Shipment point for cocaine and arms-for-drugs dealing.
Capital: Managua, population 934,000 (2009 estimate)
Area: 130, 370 square kilometers, slightly smaller than New York state
Ethnic Groups​: Mestizo (American Indian/European mix) – 69%, White – 17%, Black – 9%, American Indian – 5%
Languages: Spanish – 97.5%, Indeginous – 2.5%
Religions: Roman Catholic – 58.5%, Protestant – 23.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses – .9%. Other – 1.7%, None – 15.7%
Population: 5.7 million (July 2012 estimate), 46% below poverty line
Age Structure: 0-14 – 31.7%; 15-64 – 63.8%; > 65 – 4.5%
Median Age: 23
Urbanization: 57%
Growth Rate: 1.1% (2012 estimate)
Infant Mortality: 22 deaths/1,000 live births
Life Expectancy: 72 (male: 70, female: 74)
Literacy Rate: 67.5%
Unemployment rate: 8.6%
Governemt Type: Republic
Suffrage: at 16, universal
Gross Domestic Product Per Capita: $3,200 (2011 estimate)
Inflation: 8.1% (2011 estimate)
Currency: Cordobas (22.5/US$1)
Our host for the month is Pastora Eva. She lives in a community called San Bernardo outside of the town of Mazatepe, which is between Managua and Granada. We are working with a ministry called Men of Valor for Christ. It is a group a local pastors from different denominations who have come together to reach the surrounding community. We will be working with them doing various activities in the local school as well asinteracting with local families and participating in the services of local churches with music, preaching and sharing testimonies.
