NicaraguaThe area of ​​Nicaragua is 50,193 square miles. The Nicaraguan highlands, with an elevation of about 2,000 feet, cross Nicaragua from northwest to southeast. Several mountain ranges, the highest of which, the Cordillera Isabelia, reaches an elevation of more than 6,890 feet, cut the highlands from east to west. To the west is a large basin, or depression, containing two lakes, Nicaragua, the largest in Central America, and Managua. The two are connected by the Tipitapa River. A chain of volcanoes rises between the lakes and the Pacific coast, contributing to local earthquakes. To the east, the Caribbean coastal plain known as the Costa de mosquitoes (Mosquito Coast) extends for about 45 miles. inland and is partly covered by rainforest. The four main rivers, the San Juan, the Coco (Wanks), the Grande and the Escondido, flow into the Caribbean. Nicaragua's natural resources are mainly agricultural. Deposits of volcanic material have enriched the soil, which is extremely fertile. About half of the territory is covered by forests. The country has some deposits of gold, silver and copper. About 77% of the Nicaraguan population is mestizo (people of mixed white and Native American ancestry), about 10% are white, and the remainder are Native American (4%) and black (9%). Nicaragua's population is 3,745,000, with an overall density of approximately 75 people per square mile. About 60% of the population is concentrated in the western part of the country, and more than 55% is urban. Political divisions and major cities Nicaragua is divided into six regions and three special zones. Managua, with a population of 682,100, is the capital and commercial center. León is an important religious and cultural center. Granada is the terminus of the railway from the main port of entry, Corinth, on the Pacific coast. Spanish is the official language of Nicaragua. Nearly 90% of the Nicaraguan population is Roman Catholic; most of the rest are Protestant. As in other Latin American countries, Nicaragua's culture reflects Spanish cultural models, influential since the colonial period, combined with an ancient Native American heritage. Nicaraguans organize many colorful celebrations to commemorate local saints' days and ecclesiastical events. The marimba is extremely popular, and ancient instruments such as the chirimía (clarinet), maraca (rattle), and zul (flute) are common in rural areas. Dances from the colonial era survive, as do fine examples of architecture. The coast of Nicaragua was sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1502, but the first Spanish expedition, led by Gil González Dávila, did not arrive until 1522; established several Spanish settlements. A second conquistador, Francisco Fernández de Córdoba, founded Granada in 1523 and León in 1524.