South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region | |
|---|---|
| Anthem: Coast Brothers | |
| Country | Nicaragua |
| Capital city | Bluefields |
| Largest city | Nueva Guinea |
| Seat | Bluefields |
| Municipalities | |
| Government | |
| • Type | Unicameral |
| • Body | Regional Council |
| • Regional Coordinator (Governor) | Rubén López Espinoza (FSLN) |
| Area | |
• Total | 27,260.02 km2 (10,525.15 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 2nd (20.9% of Nicaragua) |
| Population (2021 estimate) | |
• Total | 420,935 |
| • Density | 15/km2 (40/sq mi) |
| GDP (Nominal, 2015 US dollar) | |
| • Total | $500 million (2023) |
| • Per capita | $1,000 (2023) |
| GDP (PPP, 2015 int. dollar) | |
| • Total | $1.2 billion (2023) |
| • Per capita | $2,700 (2023) |
| ISO 3166 code | NI-AS |
| Autonomy Statute | 30 October 1987 |
| Official languages | Spanish Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole) Miskito Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa) Rama Garifuna |
| Regional Council | 45 councilors |
| National Assembly | 2 deputies (of 92) |
The South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region is one of two autonomous regions in Nicaragua. It was created along with the North 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 27,260 km2 (10,530 sq mi) and has a population of 420,935 (2021 estimate). The capital is Bluefields. Bordering the Caribbean Sea, it contains part of the region known as Moskitia.
It is divided into 12 municipalities: Bluefields, the Corn Islands, Desembocadura de Río Grande, El Ayote, El Rama, El Tortuguero, Kukra Hill, La Cruz de Río Grande, Muelle de los Bueyes, Nueva Guinea, Paiwas, and Pearl Lagoon. Eight languages are spoken in the region, with English Creole and Spanish being dominant. The regional official languages are: Spanish (national official language of Nicaragua), Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole), Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa), Rama, Miskito, and Garifuna.
The Pearl Cays archipelago is also a part of the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region but mainly belonging to the municipality of Pearl Lagoon.