North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | |
|---|---|
Location of the North Caribbean Autonomous Region in Nicaragua. | |
| Coordinates: 14°01′41″N 83°22′51″W / 14.02806°N 83.38083°W | |
| Country | Nicaragua |
| Capital | Bilwi |
| Largest city | Bilwi |
| Seat | Bilwi |
| Municipalities | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Devolved government under presidential republic |
| • Body | Regional Council |
| • Regional Coordinator (Governor) | TBDL leader (FSLN) |
| Population (2021 estimate) | |
• Total | 541,189 |
| GDP (Nominal, 2015 US dollar) | |
| • Total | $600 million (2023) |
| • Per capita | $1,000 (2023) |
| GDP (PPP, 2015 int. dollar) | |
| • Total | $1.6 billion (2023) |
| • Per capita | $2,700 (2023) |
| ISO 3166 code | NI-AN |
| Autonomy Statute | 30 October 1987 |
| Official languages | Spanish Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole) Miskito Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa) Rama Garifuna |
| Regional Council | 47 councilors |
| National Assembly | 2 deputies (of 92) |
The North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region is one of two autonomous regions in Nicaragua. It was created along with the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region by the Autonomy Statute of 7 September 1987 through a division of the former Zelaya Department. It covers an area of 33,106 km2 and has a population of 541,189 (2021 estimate). It is the largest autonomous region or department in Nicaragua. The capital is Puerto Cabezas. It contains part of the region known as the Mosquito Coast.
The North Autonomous Caribbean Coast has a Regional Council of representatives of different political parties, such as the Sandinistas (FSLN) and YATAMA (ethnic indigenous party), as well as all the municipalities. They hold sessions in an Assembly in Puerto Cabezas.
The North Autonomous Caribbean Coast, in addition to Mestizos, contains populations from different indigenous groups, including the Miskitos, Mayangnas, and others. The regional official languages are Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole), Miskito, Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa), Garifuna, and Rama, in addition to the national official language of Spanish, most males in Puerto Cabezas speak some English from when it was a US fruit plantation.