Carazo Department facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carazo
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Department
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Carazo, department of Nicaragua
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| Country | Nicaragua | |
| Capital | Jinotepe | |
| Area | ||
| • Department | 1,081 km2 (417 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2021 estimate)
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| • Department | 198,395 | |
| • Density | 183.53/km2 (475.34/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 129,009 | |
| ISO 3166 code | NI-CA | |
Carazo (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈɾaso]) is a special region, or "department," in the country of Nicaragua. It's like a state or province. This area covers about 1,081 square kilometers (that's 417 square miles). As of 2021, around 198,395 people live there. The main city and capital of Carazo is Jinotepe.
Contents
Exploring Carazo's Geography
Land and Cities
Most of Carazo is a big, flat area that gently slopes down to the Pacific Ocean. The two most important cities in the middle of the department are Diriamba and Jinotepe.
Carazo shares its borders with several other departments. These include Managua, Masaya, Granada, and Rivas.
Carazo's Climate
The weather in Carazo is tropical. This means it's usually warm and sunny. Temperatures typically stay between 28 and 32 degrees Celsius (82 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit).
The hottest time of year is usually in April and May. Most of the rain falls between May and October. The rest of the year, from November to April, is generally dry.
Economy and Fun Things to Do in Carazo
What Carazo Produces
The inland part of Carazo is great for farming. Farmers grow many different crops, including high-quality coffee. Closer to the ocean, where the climate is subtropical, you'll find citrus trees and sugar cane growing well.
People also raise livestock (like cows) and grow cereal crops here. In some areas, they even quarry volcanic rock for building materials.
Tourist Spots and Activities
If you love beaches, Carazo's Pacific coast has many with places for visitors to relax. There are also other cool places to explore.
- Salto de la Culebra Waterfall: This beautiful waterfall is a great spot to visit.
- Centro Ecoturístico La Máquina: This is a private nature reserve where you can enjoy the outdoors. Both of these are near Diriamba.
- Museo Ecológico de Trópico Seco: Located in Diriamba, this museum teaches you about the plants and animals that live in Carazo.
Protecting Wildlife: Río Escalante-Chacocente Reserve
The Río Escalante-Chacocente Wildlife Reserve is a very important place for nature. It's located near Santa Teresa. This reserve is one of the most significant dry tropical reserves in all of Nicaragua.
Sea Turtle Nesting
A special half-kilometer stretch of beach in the reserve is a major nesting site for olive ridley sea turtles. These turtles are known locally as paslama turtles. Between July and December, on certain nights when the moon is right, thousands of these turtles come ashore. They dig holes in the sand and lay their eggs.
Park rangers work hard to protect these eggs. They make sure the eggs are not taken by people to be sold. After about 48 days, millions of baby turtles hatch! They dig their way out of the nests and try to reach the sea. Many birds try to eat the baby turtles at this time. To keep some safe, park staff move some eggs to special nursery areas. Here, the young turtles are protected when they hatch. Other beaches in the park are also nesting spots for Hawksbill sea turtles and green sea turtles.
Exploring the Reserve
The entire park covers a large area of 4,645 hectares (about 11,478 acres). If you visit, you can find simple places to stay, like tents or a hostel. There are also trails that lead through the park. As you explore, you can see many different kinds of trees, flowering plants, birds, and other animals.
Towns and Cities in Carazo
Carazo is made up of several towns and cities, called municipalities. These include:
See Also
In Spanish: Departamento de Carazo para niños
