Paiwas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paiwas
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Municipality
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 Paiwas
Location in Nicaragua
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| Country |  Nicaragua |
| Region |  South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 36,533 |
| Climate | Am |
Paiwas is a municipality in the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region of Nicaragua. Its main town is Bocana de Paiwas.
Contents
What Does the Name Paiwas Mean?
The name Paiwas might come from the Chontal language. In Chontal, "pais" means "two" and "was" means "river." So, it could mean "Two Rivers."
However, newer studies suggest another meaning. In the Sumo language, "Pai" means "sweet potatoes" and "was" means "river." This would translate to "River of Sweet Potatoes." Many people think this meaning makes more sense because of the area's geography.
Where is Paiwas Located?
Paiwas is in Nicaragua. It shares borders with several other municipalities. To the north is Mulukukú. To the south is El Ayote. On the east, you'll find La Cruz de Río Grande and El Tortuguero. To the west are Matiguás, Río Blanco, and Camoapa.
The main town, Bocana de Paiwas, is about 227 kilometers (141 miles) from Managua, the capital city. Paiwas is thought to be right in the middle of Nicaragua. It's still a bit unclear if it belongs more to Matagalpa or the Atlantic Coast region.
A Look at Paiwas's Past
We don't know a lot about the early history of Paiwas. Most of what we know comes from old things found in the ground. People have discovered many archaeological sites here. These sites include ancient carvings on rocks (petroglyphs) and crafts. These items were often left as gifts in the burial places of the first people who lived here. Over 100 such sites have been found so far!
Bocana de Paiwas has been the official center of the municipality since March 15, 1974. This was made official by a special law. It remains the main town today.
Who Lives in Paiwas?
Paiwas is home to about 36,533 people. The population is almost evenly split between men and women. About half of the people are men (49.9%), and half are women (50.1%). A little less than a quarter of the population (23.4%) lives in the urban areas.
Nature and Weather in Paiwas
Paiwas has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it's usually warm and gets a lot of rain. The average temperature is between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius (75-77 degrees Fahrenheit). It rains a lot, from 2400 to 3000 millimeters (94-118 inches) each year. The rain is spread out throughout the year.
This area is a special place where Nicaragua's central mountains meet the flat coastal plains. The highest point is Cerro Ubú, which is 549 meters (1,801 feet) tall. Many rivers flow through the area, including the Grande River of Matagalpa. The land is covered in moist subtropical forests. These forests have many large, broadleaf trees.
Communities and Towns
The main administrative center of Paiwas is currently Bocana de Paiwas. However, there are plans to move it to a place called Ubú Norte. Back in 1998, the municipality had 31 different communities.
How People Make a Living
Since the 1990s, raising livestock has become very important in Paiwas. This includes raising cattle for meat, milk, and breeding. Paiwas is part of an "agricultural frontier." This means it's an area where small farmers first settle and grow crops. Later, this land is often used for large cattle farms. This process slowly turns tropical rainforests into pastures.
See also
In Spanish: Paiwas para niños
