Granada
Granada, with an estimated population of about 116,000 (2005), is the oldest city in Central America and the oldest on the mainland of the Americas. It is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities. Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua, at 11.94° N 85.96° W, the city was founded by Francisco Hernandex de Cordoba on December 8, 1524. Granada is known to be one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America for its 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 Spanish Andalucian Granada by Fernando Hernandez de Cordoba. This was done in honour of the defeat of the last Moorish stronghold, Spanish Granada, by the Catholic King and Queen of Spain. Granada, Nicargua 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 captured a great deal of attention from many pirates which assaulted the city on three occasions. It was also where William Walker, the American filibuster, took up residence and attmepted to take control of Central America as a ruling monarch. Walker set the city ablaze before escaping, destroying much of the ancient city and leaving printed the words "Granada Was Here".
For many years Granada disputed with Léon its hegemony as the major city of Nicaragua. The city of Granada was favoured by the Conservatives, while Léon was favoured by the Liberals. For many years there was conflict that at times became quite violent between the cities families and political factionss. 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 invations from English, French and 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
Granada is located along the coast of the Lake Nicaragua, 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.
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 surronded 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, from birds, monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and guatizas among others. 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 Sharks & Sawfish). Fishing in the lake is quite good and fisherman both commecial and recreational regularly catch guapote and mojarras, as well as sardines. Until around 50 years ago, sharks were often spotted on the coast of Granada frightening bathers. Due to over fishing and perhaps polution it is believed that the shark population has greatly diminished and could be endangered.
Other important cities and towns within the Granada distirct include Malacatoya, El Paso, El Guayabo, Diria, Macatepe, El Guanacaste, Nandaime and Diriomo. Diriomo last city known nationally as the city of witches. Mombacho volcano is the highest point (1,345m) within Granada; the now extinct volcano blew most of its cone into the lake forming the 365 Isletas the 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 nationally treasure, known for being the home of pre-Colombian statues and idols which were found on the island durning the Spanish conquest, these are now exhibited in the Convento San Francisco Museum.
View from the Volcan Mombacho; this volcano blew its cone into the lake forming an archipelago of 365 islandsGranada has many beaches on Lake Nicaragua, and are very popular around Semana Santa (Easter week).
Economy
Granada's economy continues to grow as it's tourism industry grows rapidly. Granada remains Nicaragua's third largest city, and is known for preserving some fine colonial-era architecture. A mini real estate boom is underway, with many European and Americans are purchasing and renovating the area's homes for retirement or holiday homes. There are several foreign realtors established. Granada has long been a center of commerce, including timber, gold and silver.
Granada's largest and most exclusive hotel, located in the centre of GranadaToday, however there is an ever growing effervescence of tourism growing in Granada. It is now a centre of tourism in Nicaragua. Museums have opened and there are plenty of tour operators. Hotels and "paradores" are abundant in Granada and are continually opening. Restaurants have been growing in numbers and so too have many bars and nightclubs, which are very popular among Granadan residents and tourists alike. Granada, though now highly dependent on tourism, also has fertile agricultural lands within the municipality. Major production of organic coffee & cacao, cattle, plantain and bananas occurs within it's boundries.
