12--Central+America+&+Caribbean--Nicaragua

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=Geographical and Political Information=

// Independence Day, // September 15 // Army Day, // May 27 //Air Force Day,// February 1 //Revolution Day,// July 19 // Fiesta Day, // August 1 //San Jacinto Day,// September 14
 * Relative and Absolute-
 * Distance and directions for PA-
 * Size and comparative- 130,370 sq. km it is the biggest compared to all the other countries
 * Climate- tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
 * Physical features- Lago de Nicaragua, Lago de Managua, Coseguina volcano, Cordillera Isabelia mountain range
 * Cultural characteristics-
 * Food- mango, papaya, tamarind, bananas, corn, plantains, yucca and peppers, chicken, pork or fresh seafood, fried plantains, rice and beans
 * Holidays-
 * Customs- the most commemorative events of the year for many Nicaraguans is Holy Week, or Semana Santa which is celebrated the week leading up to Easter Sunday
 * Major cities, capital- major cities- Leon, Chinandega, Masaya capital- Managua
 * Head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President JaimeMORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007)


 * [[image:mapofnic.png width="253" height="255" align="left"]]

=Economic Information= US 21%, Venezuela 14.3%, Mexico 8.4%, Costa Rica 8%, China 7.8%, Guatemala 6.1% El Salvador 5.2% (2008) US 32.3%, El Salvador 14.6%, Costa Rica 6.9%, Honduras 6.8%, Mexico 5.3%, Canada 5%, Guatemala 5% (2008)
 * Currency- Gold Cordoba (NIO)
 * Natural Resources- gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
 * Agricultural Products- coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products; shrimp, lobsters
 * Industries- food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood
 * Imports and Import partners- consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products
 * Export and Export partners-coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts
 * GDP,GDP per Capita- $6.298 billion (2009 est.), $2,800 (2009 est.)
 * HDI & HDI Ranking- 0.669, 124th out of 182
 * Unemployment-5.9%

=Population Information= 0-14 years: 33.1% 15-64 years: 63.6% 65 years and over: 3.4%
 * Current population- 5,995,928
 * Population density- 41 sq. km
 * Age structure:
 * Literacy rate- 67.5%
 * Infant mortality rate- 24.16
 * Life expectancy- 71.78 years
 * Physical quality of life- 78.85
 * Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
 * Main language- Spanish

=Human Rights Information= One major human right issue affecting Nicaragua today is the total ban on abortion. This ban will prevent women to have abortions from rape or incest. So if the women were forced to have sex and the man was in no way related or known by the women, they would still have to keep the baby.The CAT (The United Nations Committee against Toture) has so much concern for this ban because it is violation of the women's human rights.These women are now suffering serious traumatic physical and psychological health. If the women were to go to a hospital then they would then go on trial or get arrested for attempting to kill the child. This ban violates the choices women should choose for themselves.



=Environmental Information= One major environmental issues that exists in Nicaragua today are the effects of pesticides. Agriculture has been a big booming business for Nicaragua. But for the past 40 years the pesticides used in the cotton and fruit plantations have created a huge health problem. The workers of these plantations have been reported with illness like skin, breast cancer, liver, pancreas and kidney problems and miscarriages. There have been about 22,000 former workers and family members that have been affected from these pesticides.

The effects are not only to people but to land corruption. The pesticides have killed many of the wildlife, mainly the fish in the water.The beneficial insects are declining because these pesticides have been killing them off. Also it has caused deep well contamination so the water has been poisoned with contamination. All these effects have resulted from the use of pesticides, so change needs to happen to protect the wildlife and the life of human beings.

Another environmental issue is the deforestation in Nicaragua. About 75% of the country's forest have been cut down and formed into crop and pasture land. This has resulted because of the logging companies that cut down these trees. For awhile the government hadn't enforced any laws restricting this, but now more action is being taken to prevent loosing these forests.



=Decision Statement= As a group, we decided it would be best to relocate to Jamaica. One reason we choose this country is because thier is an abundance and variety of natural resources. The natural resources create a strong country because the people have a lot to rely on when they are in need of material and food. It also makes trade with other countries greater. When countries see all that Jamaica has to offer, then the trade is more likely to succeed.

Another aspect is the unique culture Jamaica has. The culture is filled with lots of music and dance. This kind of diversity and fun makes the country more enjoyable and happy to relocate to. The people there are also taught, by tradition, their manners so everyone is bound to be kind to each other. They also do not teach to be unequal to one another so inequality between genders does not exist.

Most issues we found in Jamaica are pretty common everywhere so the issues do not stand out very strongly. But as I have learned the government is pretty strong there and they most always do not have extreme problems. So relocating to this country definitely has its positives and was strongest to decide on.

=Work Cited= Work Cited http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47011 http://www.fsdinternational.org/ntlopps/country/nicaragua/environment https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/