Granada, Nicaragua 272915 225340310 2008-07-13T04:42:30Z 119.11.15.76 [[Image:NicaraguaGranada.png|right|300px]] '''Granada''', with an estimated population of about 116,000 (2005), is [[Nicaragua]]'s fourth most populous city. 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 however [[Veracruz]] was relocated from its original location due to its destruction by cause of 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 (founder of Nicaragua)|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== [[Image:GranadaNicaragua1900.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Granada, street scene,x about 1905]] [[Image:Cathedral of Granada Nicaragua.jpg|thumb|150px|The Cathedral of Granada, seen from [[La Merced Church]], 2007]] It was named after the Andalusian 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 [[Roman Catholic Church|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 (Nicaragua)|San Juan River]]. The city captured a great deal of attention from many pirates which assaulted the city on three occasions.<ref>[http://www.granadanicaragua.net/en/history.html granadanicaragua.net] History</ref> It was also where [[William Walker (soldier)|William Walker]], the American [[Filibuster (military)|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".<ref>[http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2005/03/06/sem-bazar.html Festival En] Granada, Nicaragua</ref><ref>Theodore Henry Hittell, ''History of California'' (N. J. Stone, 1898), 797.</ref> [[Image:Catedral de Granada.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The newly painted Cathedral of Granada]] For many years Granada disputed with [[León, Nicaragua|Léon]] its hegemony as the major city of Nicaragua. The city of Granada was favored by the [[Conservatism|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]]. The city has been witness and victim to many the battles and invasions from [[England|English]], [[France|French]] and [[Netherlands|Dutch]] pirates trying to take control of Nicaragua. For the most part Granada avoided damage during the years of conflict which existed in Nicaragua in the 1980s. Granada has shown to be a city of character and strength, surviving many of the adversities which it suffered. ==Geography & ecology== [[Image:Playa Granada.jpg|thumb|150px|The coast of Lake Nicaragua in Granada]] Granada is located along the coast of the Lake Cocibolca, the world's twentieth largest lake, and the only freshwater lake to have sharks living in its waters. 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. [[Image:Volcan Mombacho.jpg|thumb|left|170px|View of Volcan Mombacho from the Isletas de Granada and Lake Nicaragua]] Granada is a very warm city 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. Rain 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 ([[Bull Shark|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 [[bull shark|Nicaragua shark]] and [[sawfish]] because of population declines.<ref>[http://www.underwatertimes.com/news.php?article_id=05437210968 Nicaragua bans freshwater] shark fishing amid dwindling population numbers</ref> [[Image:View from Volcan Mombacho.jpg|thumb|right|150px|View from the Volcan Mombacho; this volcano blew its cone into the lake forming an archipelago of 365 islands]] 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 Island]]s. This latter island is the second largest island in [[Lake Nicaragua]] and it too is an inactive volcano. It is a nationally treasure, known for being 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, and are very popular around [[Semana Santa]] (Holy week). ==Economy and tourism== {{Seealso|Tourism in Nicaragua}} [[Image:La Gran Francia.jpg|thumb|left|150px|La Gran Francia is one of Granada's fancy new hotels in refurbished colonial buildings]] 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. [[Image:Hotel Alhambra.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Granada's largest and most exclusive hotel, located in the center of Granada]] 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 [[banana]]s occurs within its boundaries. ==Culture== [[Image:Iglesia de Guadalupe.jpg|thumb|150px|Iglesia de Guadalupe]] {{seealso|Culture of Nicaragua}} Granada is like most of the Nicaraguan Pacific; primarily populated by a Spanish-speaking majority of [[Mestizo]]s followed by whites. There are also people from the [[United States|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== [[Image:Calles de Granada.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Some of the many streets in Granada, which depict the colonial architecture of the city]] [[Image:PICT0046.JPG|thumb|right|150px|View Granada Town Square]] 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 [[Building restoration|restoration]] of many of Granada's historic structures. The [[Spain|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.<ref>[http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2005/11/22/departamentales/6247 elnuediario.com.ni] Project for 'Calle La Calzada'</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Granada, Nicaragua}} ;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] [[Category:Cities, towns and villages in Nicaragua]] [[Category:Settlements established in 1524]] {{coor title dm|11|56|N|85|57|W|region:NI_type:city}} [[bg:Гранада (град, Никарагуа)]] [[cs:Granada (Nikaragua)]] [[de:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[es:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[eo:Granado (Nikaragvo)]] [[fr:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[it:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[nl:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[pl:Granada]] [[pt:Granada (Nicarágua)]] [[ru:Гранада (Никарагуа)]] [[sk:Granada (Nikaragua)]] [[fi:Granada (Nicaragua)]] [[vi:Granada, Nicaragua]]