Written and Fact-checked by Whereig Editors | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026
Nicaragua is divided into 15 departments (departamentos) and two autonomous regions. Here is a list of the departments in Nicaragua:
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America bordered by Honduras, Costa Rica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided into 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions for administrative governance. Managua is the national capital and also the largest city in Nicaragua.
The country includes volcanic mountain ranges, lakes, tropical forests, coastal plains, river systems, and Caribbean lowlands spread across Central America. Different departments and regions are known for agriculture, tourism, fishing, mining, forestry, and cultural diversity.
Key Facts
- National capital: Managua
- Total population: 7,100,000 (Official estimate 2025)
- Total area: 130,373 km² (50,337 sq miles)
- Currency: Nicaraguan Córdoba (NIO)
- Bordering countries: Honduras, Costa Rica
- Total Departments and Autonomous Regions: 17
- Total Municipalities: 150+
List of Departments and Autonomous Regions of Nicaragua
Total administrative divisions shown: 17 | Combined population: 7,100,000 | Combined area: 130,373 km²
| # | Department / Autonomous Region | Capital City | Region Area | Area (km²) | Population (Latest Census) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boaco | Boaco | Central Highlands | 4,177 | 210,000 |
| 2 | Carazo | Jinotepe | Pacific Region | 1,081 | 210,000 |
| 3 | Chinandega | Chinandega | Northwestern Pacific | 4,929 | 470,000 |
| 4 | Chontales | Juigalpa | Central Nicaragua | 6,481 | 190,000 |
| 5 | Estelí | Estelí | Northern Highlands | 2,230 | 240,000 |
| 6 | Granada | Granada | Lake Nicaragua Region | 1,040 | 215,000 |
| 7 | Jinotega | Jinotega | Northern Mountains | 9,222 | 500,000 |
| 8 | León | León | Pacific Coast | 5,138 | 430,000 |
| 9 | Madriz | Somoto | Northern Borderlands | 1,708 | 180,000 |
| 10 | Managua | Managua | Capital Region | 3,672 | 1,650,000 |
| 11 | Masaya | Masaya | Volcanic Corridor | 611 | 420,000 |
| 12 | Matagalpa | Matagalpa | Central Highlands | 6,804 | 620,000 |
| 13 | Nueva Segovia | Ocotal | Northern Borderlands | 3,491 | 290,000 |
| 14 | Río San Juan | San Carlos | Southeastern Nicaragua | 7,541 | 150,000 |
| 15 | Rivas | Rivas | Southern Pacific | 2,162 | 190,000 |
| 16 | North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | Puerto Cabezas | Caribbean Coast | 33,106 | 530,000 |
| 17 | South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | Bluefields | Caribbean Coast | 27,260 | 405,000 |
Largest Departments and Regions by Area
- North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region - 12,782 sq mi (33,106 km²)
- South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region - 10,525 sq mi (27,260 km²)
- Jinotega - 3,561 sq mi (9,222 km²)
- Río San Juan - 2,912 sq mi (7,541 km²)
- Matagalpa - 2,627 sq mi (6,804 km²)
- Chontales - 2,502 sq mi (6,481 km²)
- León - 1,984 sq mi (5,138 km²)
- Chinandega - 1,903 sq mi (4,929 km²)
Most Populous Departments and Regions
- Managua - Population: 1,650,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Matagalpa - Population: 620,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region - Population: 530,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Jinotega - Population: 500,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Chinandega - Population: 470,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- León - Population: 430,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- Masaya - Population: 420,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
- South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region - Population: 405,000 (Official Estimate 2025)
Smallest Departments by Area
- Masaya - 236 sq mi (611 km²)
- Granada - 402 sq mi (1,040 km²)
- Carazo - 417 sq mi (1,081 km²)
- Madriz - 659 sq mi (1,708 km²)
- Rivas - 835 sq mi (2,162 km²)
- Estelí - 861 sq mi (2,230 km²)
Administrative Divisions by Geographic Grouping
- Capital Region: Managua
- Caribbean Coast: North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region, South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
- Central Highlands: Boaco, Matagalpa
- Central Nicaragua: Chontales
- Lake Nicaragua Region: Granada
- Northern Borderlands: Madriz, Nueva Segovia
- Northern Highlands: Estelí
- Northern Mountains: Jinotega
- Northwestern Pacific: Chinandega
- Pacific Coast: León
- Pacific Region: Carazo
- Southeastern Nicaragua: Río San Juan
- Southern Pacific: Rivas
- Volcanic Corridor: Masaya
Landlocked Departments
- Boaco
- Carazo
- Chontales
- Estelí
- Jinotega
- Madriz
- Managua
- Masaya
- Matagalpa
- Nueva Segovia
Departments and Regions with Coastline
- Chinandega
- Granada
- León
- North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
- Rivas
- South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
Administrative Divisions Sharing Borders with Other Countries
- Honduras: Jinotega, Madriz, Nueva Segovia, North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
- Costa Rica: Río San Juan, Rivas, South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
Sources
- National Institute for Development Information Nicaragua
- World Bank - Nicaragua Data
- CIA World Factbook - Nicaragua
- Encyclopaedia Britannica - Nicaragua
- Government of Nicaragua
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