Jinotega is a department of Nicaragua. Its departmental head is Jinotega. It is located in the north of the country, on the border with Honduras. The Department of Jinotega has a population of 452,973 inhabitants in 2017 and an area of 9,222.40 km². It is one of the 15 most extensive departments in the country. Founded on October 15, 1891. The city of Jinotega "Las Brumas" is the departmental capital of the homonymous department with an urban population of 53 265 inhabitants in the year 2017. It is located in a valley at an altitude of 1,003.87 meters above sea level with a cool climate at an average temperature of 25 °C and a distance of 142 km from Managua. Source: National Institute for Development Information - Nicaragua. Statistical Yearbook 2016 - 18 The department generates its own power through Lake Apanás Dam, which is also a tourist attraction. Isabelia Mountain Range contains several cloud forests peaks and massifs such as Chimborazo, Datanlí Diablo with "la Bujona" waterfall. Also, Penas Blancas Massif containing several water drops, and Bosawás Biosphere Reserve, the largest biosphere reserve in Central America with about 22,000 sq km.
Points of interest
There are various restaurants and markets throughout the department of Jinotega, that serve various fruits, vegetables, meats, and drinks. The city of Jinotega is in the vicinity of the artificial Lake Apanas. The town of San Rafael del Norte located about 20 minutes north of Jinotega City, was General Sandino's Headquarters against US Marine's forced occupation of Nicaragua in the late 1920s and early 1930s. San Rafael has a really nice neoclassical parrish church across the leafy Main Square, and a small museum dedicated to Sandino and his wife Blanca Arauz.
Attractions and places of interest
In the city of Jinotega
Museum and Library
Museo Municipal, on north side of Central Plaza: it covers archeology, history and antiques displays.
Biblioteca Municipal: within the same premises as the museum.
Temples and Parks
San Juan Bautista Cathedral, on the city's Main Avenue has remarkable neoclassical interiors, a beautiful wooden retable and pulpit, delicate statuary and great views from the bell towers.
Otto Casco Park: with a basketball court, near the bus station to Managua, and Victoria Motta Hospital.
Central Park: a tree covered square with a fountain, a central gazebo for Christmas displays, skateboard tracks, and wifi connection. Surrounding the park are San Juan Cathedral, the Mayor's Office, the City Museum, the Public Library, the Social Club, UNAN, and several hotels, and restaurants.
Panoramic Views of Jinotega
Travel up the steps to the top of "Peña de la Cruz", the path of many pilgrims to fulfill promises to la Santa Cruz.
In the municipalities of the department of Jinotega
Tours of "Datanlí - El Diablo" Natural Reserve to enjoy its cloud forests and "La Bujona" waterfall while guided by locals and sharing daily activities.
Ecotours at "La Fundadora" and "Vida Joven" farms located on the Jinotega - Matagalpa road.
Natural and cultural experience.
Visits to Bosawás, declared by UNESCO a Biosphere Reserve, and to "Peñas Blancas" Massif known for its white cliffs and sharp water drops among misty cloud forests.
Nature tours among coffee fields in Mount Kilambé Nature Reserve, near the town of Wiwilí, and "Santa Maura" farm to learn about the cultivation of this grain called the "green gold".
Visits to Volcan "Yalí" Nature Reserve.
Adventure tourism on Lake Apanás where sport fishing activities and rowing boat competitions take place. This lake is a habitat for a great variety of lake flora and fauna.
