Nicaragua civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Nicaragua with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
Managua, the National Assembly, the córdoba and the country's departments and autonomous regions.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Nicaragua?
Managua
Managua, on the southern shore of Lake Managua, is the capital and largest city of Nicaragua.
What is the name of Nicaragua’s legislature?
The National Assembly
Nicaragua has a single-chamber legislature called the Asamblea Nacional, or National Assembly.
What is the name of Nicaragua’s currency?
The córdoba
The currency is the córdoba, named after Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, the Spanish founder of Granada and León.
What is the official language of Nicaragua?
Spanish
Spanish is the official language. Languages of the Caribbean Coast, such as Miskito and Creole English, also have official use in those regions.
Besides its 15 departments, how many autonomous regions does Nicaragua have?
2
Nicaragua has 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions on the Caribbean Coast, the North and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Regions.
History 5 questions
The founding of Granada and León, independence in 1821, William Walker, Sandino and the 1979 revolution.
Which Spanish conquistador founded the cities of Granada and León in 1524?
Francisco Hernández de Córdoba
Francisco Hernández de Córdoba founded Granada and León in 1524. The national currency is named after him.
On which date does Nicaragua celebrate its independence from Spain?
15 September
Nicaragua celebrates Independence Day on 15 September, marking the 1821 Act of Independence of Central America.
Which American adventurer declared himself president of Nicaragua in 1856?
William Walker
William Walker, a US filibuster, took power in 1856. He was defeated by Central American forces and driven out in 1857.
Which national hero fought US Marines in Nicaragua between 1927 and 1933?
Augusto César Sandino
Augusto César Sandino led a guerrilla campaign against the US Marine occupation, which ended in 1933.
In which year was the Somoza family’s rule ended by the Sandinista-led revolution?
1979
Anastasio Somoza Debayle left the country and the revolutionary forces entered Managua on 19 July 1979.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
Lake Nicaragua, Ometepe, León Viejo, the guardabarranco and the poet Rubén Darío.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
What is the largest lake in Nicaragua and in Central America?
Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua, also called Cocibolca, is the largest lake in Central America.
Which island in Lake Nicaragua is formed by two volcanoes, Concepción and Maderas?
Ometepe
Ometepe Island is made up of the Concepción and Maderas volcanoes joined by a narrow isthmus.
Which Nicaraguan poet is known as the father of Spanish-language modernismo?
Rubén Darío
Rubén Darío, author of 'Azul...', led the modernismo movement. A city and the national theatre in Managua are named after him.
What is the national bird of Nicaragua?
The guardabarranco
The guardabarranco, or turquoise-browed motmot, is Nicaragua's national bird, known for its colourful racket-shaped tail.
Which ruins of an early Spanish colonial city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
León Viejo
The Ruins of León Viejo, abandoned after earthquakes and volcanic activity in the early 1600s, were inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000.
Think you know them?
Take a timed mock exam in the real Nicaragua Civics format.