Granada, Nicaragua

Infobox Settlement
name = Granada
settlement_type =Municipality
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image_caption =The Cathedral of Granada, seen from La Merced Church, 2007


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pushpin_map_caption =Location in Nicaragua
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Nicaragua
subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Granada Department
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area_total_km2 = 531
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population_as_of =2003
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population_total =110,326
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longd=85|longm=57|longs=|longEW=W
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Granada, with an estimated population of 110,326 (2003), is Nicaragua's fourth most populous city and capital of the Granada Department. It is the oldest city founded by Europeans on mainland America, that still exist in its original location. Veracruz in Mexico was founded prior to Granada, but was relocated from its original location due to its destruction by natural disaster. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities both economically and politically. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Cocibolca and was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba on December 8, 1524. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and layout. Granada is commonly nicknamed the "Gran Sultana del Gran Lago" - the Great Sultan of the Great Lake.

History

It was named after the Ancient Spanish city of Granada by Hernández de Córdoba. This was done in honor of the defeat of the last Moorish stronghold, which had been Spanish Granada, by the Catholic King and Queen of Spain. Granada, Nicaragua was historically the sister capital in Central America to Antigua, Guatemala. During the colonial period, Granada maintained a flourishing level of commerce with ports on the Atlantic, through Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) and the San Juan River.

The city has been witness and victim to many of the battles with and invasions from English, French and Dutch pirates trying to take control of Nicaragua. [ [http://www.granadanicaragua.net/en/history.html granadanicaragua.net] History]

It was also where William Walker, the American filibuster, took up residence and attempted to take control of Central America as a ruling monarch. One of Walker's generals, Charles Frederick Henningsen, set the city ablaze before escaping, destroying much of the ancient city and leaving printed the words "Granada Was Here". [ [http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/03/06/sem-bazar.html Festival En] Granada, Nicaragua] [Theodore Henry Hittell, "History of California" (N. J. Stone, 1898), 797.]

For many years Granada disputed with Léon its hegemony as the major city of Nicaragua. The city of Granada was favored by the Conservatives, while Léon was favored by the Liberals. For many years there was conflict that at times became quite violent between the cities' families and political factions. In the mid 1800s a compromise site was agreed on and the capital was finally established in between both cities at Managua.

For the most part Granada avoided damage during the years of conflict in Nicaragua in the 1980s.

Geography & ecology

Granada is located along the coast of the Lake Cocibolca, the world's twentieth largest lake.

Granada is the capital city of the Department of Granada, which boarders Boaco and Managua to the north, Masaya and Carazo to the east and Rivas to the south. Within the same department, the River Tipitapa which connects the Lake of Managua and Nicaragua passes through it in the north. It also has three volcanic lagoons; Manares, Genirzaro, and the famous Apoyo. Apoyo, which is shared with the Department of Masaya, is the largest volcanic lagoon in Nicaragua. Granada is a very warm city all year round, with very similar temperatures to Managua. This is due to similarities in geography with its close proximity to a lake and surrounded by high hills. Rainfall in Granada is approximately between 1,100-2,100mm annually.

The vegetation around Granada is a reflection of its climatology. Dry forests and also humid forests skirt the Mombacho volcano. The volcano is also home to a wide array of fauna. "(See Wildlife of Nicaragua)" The lake is also home to many creatures, both marine and freshwater creatures. It is the only fresh water lake in the world where sharks live (Nicaragua shark & Sawfish). Fishing in the lake is quite good and fisherman both commercial and recreational regularly catch guapote and mojarras, as well as sardines. Nicaragua has recently banned freshwater fishing of the Nicaragua shark and sawfish because of population decline. [ [http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=05437210968 Nicaragua bans freshwater] shark fishing amid dwindling population numbers]

Other important cities and towns within the Granada district include Malacatoya, El Paso, El Guayabo, Diria, Macatepe, El Guanacaste, Nandaime and Diriomo, known nationally as the last city of witches. Mombacho volcano is the highest point (1,345m) within Granada; the now dormant volcano blew most of its cone into the lake, forming the 365 Islets of Granada, from where the volcano provides an amazing view. It is also possible on a clear day to see Ometepe and Zapatera Islands. This latter island is the second largest island in Lake Nicaragua and it too is an inactive volcano. It is a national treasure, known as the home of pre-Colombian statues and idols which were found on the island during the Spanish conquest, these are now exhibited in the Convento San Francisco Museum.

Granada has many beaches on Lake Nicaragua which are very popular around Semana Santa (Holy week).

Economy and tourism

Granada has long been a center of commerce, including timber, gold and silver. Granada's economy continues to grow as it is becoming the national tourism hub. Though Granada remains Nicaragua's fourth largest city, it is widely known for preserving some the finest colonial-era architecture in the country. A real estate boom had been underway for several years, with many European and Americans purchasing and renovating the area's homes for retirement or holiday homes and several foreign realtors establishing offices, but that boom slowed in 2007. The prior escalation of real estate prices in Granada and other parts of Southwestern Nicaragua has led to a shift of investor attention toward Northern Nicaragua and the cities of Matagalpa, Leon, Corinto and the surrounding beaches of Leon and Corinto.

Museums have opened, including one of the finest in the country, the private Mi Museo, and new hotels and restaurants are proliferating at a fast clip.

Granada, though now highly dependent on tourism, also has fertile agricultural land within the municipality. Major production of organic coffee and cacao, cattle, plantain and bananas occurs within its boundaries.

Culture

Granada is like most of the Nicaraguan Pacific; primarily populated by a Spanish-speaking majority of Mestizos followed by whites. There are also people from the USA, Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, and France residing in Granada. This is primarily due to Granada's booming tourist economy. Recently, the number of foreigners seeking colonial homes for purchase has brought a growing number of Europeans and Americans to Granada. Real estate prices are comparatively low although increasing regularly. This influx of foreigners is influencing culture and commerce in Granada.

Infrastructure

Most of Granada's streets are quite narrow due to the city's layout before the advent of motorized vehicles. Due to this, many streets are one-way which can add a challenge to visitors traveling by car. After many years of neglect, primarily due to the economic collapse of the nation in the 1980s, most of Granada's buildings and infrastructure began to deteriorate. Roads and public utilities were severely un-maintained. Gradually, more investment has been directed in re-establishing much of Granada's infrastructure and public utilities.

The city government has directed fund towards recognition and restoration of many of Granada's historic structures. The Spanish government has provided financial cooperation for the refurbishment of the city, one of the projects which currently are transforming Calle La Calzada into Peatonal (foot traffic only) Street. [ [http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2005/11/22/departamentales/6247 elnuediario.com.ni] Project for 'Calle La Calzada']

References

External links

;Travel
* [http://www.vacationinnicaragua.com Hotel,transportation, restaurant, tours]
* [http://www.granada.com.ni/home.html Granada City Tourism Page]
* [http://www.vianica.com/visit/granada Granada: hotels, restaurants, activities, photos]
* [http://www.nicaraguahostel.com/Main/main_granada.htm Granada: Nicaragua's Grandest City]
* [http://www.finditgranada.com/ Granada: hotels, restaurants, real estate, attractions]
* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Granada_%28Nicaragua%29: Wikitravel Granada]