Table of ContentsHistoryUniqueness of CultureCommon Foods Used by the CultureMeal Patterns and EtiquetteMajor Religions of the CultureHealth BeliefsHistory and Cultural Challenges in the United StatesNicaragua is a beautiful tropical country located between America of North and South America. Founded on September 15, 1821, this small country is known for its ancient architecture and culture. Although it is not an island, its climate is still tropical due to its relative location to the equator. This is why Nicaragua attracts thousands of tourists every year to visit its crystal clear waters and magnificent rainforests. Nicaragua is also the largest country in South America, with a population of around 6 million and covering around 50,000 square miles. The size, population and climate contribute significantly to the overall development of the culture known as Nicaraguan. Nicaragua's overall culture as well as its connection to modern Spanish influence have contributed to the development of the country to what it is today without losing its original cultural practices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayHistoryNicaragua was discovered in 1502 by an explorer named Christopher Columbus. Before, it was made up of a few small Indian tribes. The name Nicaragua comes from the chief of the main Indian tribe before its conquest by the Spanish. When it was discovered, 3 main tribes inhabited the region. They were very similar to Native Americans, having close extended families and sharing similar traditions. The names of the 3 tribes were the Niquirano, Chorotega and Chontal. The official colonization of Nicaragua by Spain began in 1523 by two men named Gil Gonzalez Davila and Francisco Fernandez de Cordoba. They both forced local tribes to convert to Christianity by threatening them with violence and slavery. Many people still refused to convert, leading to a massive drop in population in just a few years. Shortly after Spain took over, two major cities emerged. These towns were called Granada and Leon. Although they were created by the same people, the two cities belonged to different political parties. Grenade belonged to the conservative party and Léon to the liberal party. These two cities were in constant conflict, arguing over which political party was superior. In 1838, Nicaragua declared independence as a republic and declared Managua as its capital. The capital of Nicaragua is important because it is located between the two conflicting cities, acting as if it is a peacemaker. Today, Nicaragua is known for being part of the Independent Liberal Party. The country is known for its exports of agricultural products such as melons, nuts and onions. The country as a whole depends on agriculture to support its economy. Its fertile soil thanks to its proximity to the sea as well as its tropical climate favor the growth of plants such as tobacco and sesame. Tobacco was originally introduced by Europeans and is now known as a cash crop, meaning it is produced for commercial value. The current population is 6.5 million and is gradually increasing due to tourist immigration. With a birth rate of 2 children per family and the main cause of death being heart disease, the country's population has been described as stable. Nicaragua has truly grown to become one of the most economically and geographically stable countries in South Americathanks to its climate and its history. Tourists come from all over to see the ancient Nicaraguan pyramids, statues and other artifacts. Additionally, thanks to its lenient government, the country is also a safe place to live and involves little to no violence. However, when it was conquered by Spain, the conquest not only helped Nicaraguans enter the real world, but also created one of the highest tropical agriculture producing countries currently.CultureAlthough many Many people believe that Nicaragua's native language is called Nicaraguan, but the people of this country actually speak Spanish. Although neighboring countries like Costa Rica and Panama also speak Spanish, Nicaragua is different because it is known for having more sophisticated production. Many people claim that Nicaragua is just a tropical version of Spain because it follows similar Spanish culture. Having a mix of Spanish and Nicaraguan, many people enjoy the modern yet historic feel of the culture. Fashion in Nicaragua is unique because it resembles that of Old Spain with a South American touch. Women traditionally wear a colorful cotton dress that covers the shoulders and ankles. Their hair is often styled in a neat bun with a floral hairpiece. The men wear simple work clothes. In Nicaragua, women are expected to be both heads of household and fertile, meaning they are expected to bear children. Men were expected to work and provide for the family. Unlike other countries, most of the actions were carried out by women rather than men. Although Nicaragua looks like a tropical paradise for tourists, many Nicaraguan families live in poverty. This forces children to leave school and work at a young age. Older people are also affected because they are seen as either a burden or just a mouth to feed. The most unique aspect of Nicaraguan culture is the pride of being the only country with a double volcano. This alone attracts around 25% of tourism, thus helping the country's overall economy. The most unique aspect of Nicaraguan culture is its beautiful architecture. Before being colonized by Spain, Nicaragua was home to the first pyramids. The most famous is called Canta Gallo, which is a group of pyramids located in the heart of the Nicaraguan rainforest. These pyramids were likely built as a shrine to ancient deities and used as a place of worship. Around the pyramids are clear signs of ancient religious rituals. Nicaragua is one of the few countries with intact pyramids. Common Foods Used by the Culture The main traditional foods of Nicaragua are corn, cheese, and beans. One of their most famous dishes is called Gallo Pinto, which is a mixture of onions, fried rice, a variety of peppers and beans. Due to its Spanish culture, it would be rare to find a restaurant selling dishes such as burgers and sushi unless you are in a very touristy area. Nicaragua is known for its immense amount of agriculture. Most families in Nicaragua rely on agriculture to provide food and income for their families. Their culture also focuses on spending time with family, so most meals are eaten at home with the entire family present. Due to the country's modernization over the years, traditional family meals have become less common. Several global holidays are celebrated in Nicaragua, such as Christmas, New Year and Easter. The famous countryalso various festivals. Their most important holiday is Independence Day, which occurs every year on September 15. Another national holiday celebrated is the Sandinista Revolution. That’s when Nicaragua fought against an emerging dictatorship and won. Foods eaten during this holiday include Vigoron, a variety of tortillas, and Quesadillas. All of these foods are made from relatively similar ingredients, namely beans, rice and corn. After this meal, comes siesta time, or siesta which is taken during the hottest part of the day. In the evening, there is dinner but the meal is often light. Beans and rice are eaten in almost every meal and their normal dish includes quesadillas, enchiladas and tortillas. Corn is also an important part of the diet in Nicaragua. Nicaraguan culture is very important. They care more about the company and conversation than the initial dinner. The meal does not begin until everyone is present and no one leaves until everyone has finished eating. It's considered a major compliment if one is asking for more time, implying that the food was so good that one would want more. Finally, it is customary to begin the meal only after the hosts have said “buen provencho”, which means “bon appetit”. Major Culture Religions The Nicaraguan government strongly believes in religious freedom and tolerance. The majority of the population follows some form of Christianity. This was due to Spain's conquest of Nicaragua in 1523, forcing the population to "convert to Christianity or else". Along the coast, many people belong to the Protestant religion. There is also a high proportion of followers of the Roman Catholic religion, approximately 51% of the total population. 31% follow evangelical, which is also a form of Christianity. The Roman Catholic religion has an open diet, with meat restricted on certain days like Good Friday. They also fast for 40 days and 40 nights. Fasting is rare these days, but many still follow Lent, where something dear to their heart is given up for a period of time. Drinking wine as well as eating bread is also used in communion, which takes place at every church service. Health Beliefs Before being colonized by Spain, the indigenous people of Nicaragua relied on many different herbs for healing. Some of these herbs include Zorillo, Cola de Alacran, and cashew. Zorrillo is the most potent and common herb and is used to soothe any form of pain. Alacran is used against disease and cashew is used to reduce inflammation and joint pain. To activate these herbs, they are ground into a paste and applied directly to the wound or consumed orally. Traditional Nicaraguan medicine also includes herbs such as wormwood and orange leaves. These herbs are often boiled with other spices such as pepper and garlic to enhance the effect. Nicaraguans also strongly believed in drinking tea in order to utilize its healing properties. Their tea was made from simple herbs from the garden which were then crushed and mixed with hot water. Tea was served at almost every meal to promote good health. Most of the herbs used by Nicaraguans are found deep in the rainforest or on volcanic foothills. Indeed, the humid climate and the rich volcanic soil favor the rapid growth of plants. History and cultural challenges in the United States During a.