Protected areas of Nicaragua facts for kids
The protected areas of Nicaragua are special places in Nicaragua that are kept safe because of their amazing natural beauty or importance. Think of them as nature's treasures! Nicaragua has 78 of these protected areas. They cover a huge space, about 22,422 square kilometers, which is almost one-fifth of the country's land.
These areas are managed by the National System of Protected Areas, often called SINAP. This system works under the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA). Their job is to make sure these beautiful places and the animals and plants living there are protected for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
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How Nicaragua Started Protecting Nature
Nicaragua began protecting its natural spaces a long time ago. The very first protected area was the Peninsula of Cosigüina Wildlife Refuge, set up in 1958. This was a big step for conservation in the country.
More areas were added over time. By 1979, two more protected areas were created. By 1990, Nicaragua had a total of 25 protected areas! Before 1979, the Central Bank of Nicaragua was in charge of the few national parks and natural reserves that existed.
Private Land for Conservation
In March 1999, a new law made it possible for private landowners to help protect nature too. These are called private wildlife reserves. They are special areas owned by individuals or groups who decide to dedicate their land to conservation. MARENA recognizes these private reserves if they meet certain rules and help protect the amazing variety of life, known as biodiversity, in Nicaragua.
Exploring Nicaragua's Protected Areas
Here is a full list of the many protected areas across Nicaragua:
- Alamikamaba Natural Reserve
- Apacunca Genetic Reserve
- Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Asososca Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Bismuna Raya Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Bosawás Biosphere Reserve
- Cabo Viejo-Tala-Sulamas Natural Reserve
- Cayos Miskitos Biological Reserve
- Cerro Apante Nature Reserve
- Cerro Arenal Natural Reserve
- Cerro Banacruz Natural Reserve
- Cerro Cola Blanca Natural Reserve
- Cerro Cumaica–Cerro Alegre Nature Reserve
- Cerro Guabule Nature Reserve
- Cerro Kilambé Natural Reserve
- Cerro Mombachito - La Vieja Natural Reserve
- Cerro Musún Natural Reserve
- Cerro Pancasan Natural Reserve
- Cerro Quiabuc–Las Brisas Nature Reserve
- Cerro Silva Natural Reserve
- Cerro Tisey–Estanzuela Nature Reserve
- Cerro Wawashang Natural Reserve
- Chacocente Wildlife Refuge
- Chiltepe Peninsula Natural Reserve
- Chocoyero-El Brujo Natural Reserve
- Cordillera de Yolaina Natural Reserve
- Cordillera Dipilto and Jalapa Natural Reserve
- Cosigüina Volcano Natural Reserve
- El Arenal Natural Reserve
- Estero Padre Ramos Natural Reserve
- Estero Real Natural Reserve
- Fila Masigüe Natural Reserve
- Hurricane Mitch Victims National Monument
- Indio Maíz Biological Reserve
- Juan Venado Island Natural Reserve
- Kligna Natural Reserve
- Kukalaya Lagoon Natural Reserve
- La Inmaculada Fort Historical Site
- La Máquina Natural Reserve
- Layasika Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Limbaika Natural Reserve
- Llanos de Apacunca Genetic Reserve
- Llanos de Karawala Natural Reserve
- Llanos de Makantaka Natural Reserve
- Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge
- Macizos de Peñas Blancas Natural Reserve
- Maderas Volcano Natural Reserve
- Makantaka Natural Reserve
- Masaya Volcano National Park
- Mecatepe Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Mesas de Moropotente Natural Reserve
- Miraflor Natural Reserve
- Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
- O Parks, WildLife, and Recreation, formerly named Ostional Private WildLife Reserve
- Nejapa Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Pahara Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Punta Gorda Natural Reserve
- Río Manares Natural Reserve
- Río San Juan Wildlife Refugee
- Salto Río Yasika Natural Reserve
- Selva Negra Cloud Forest Reserve
- Sierra Amerrisque Nature Reserve
- Sierra Quirragua Natural Reserve
- Solentiname National Monument
- Somoto Canyon National Monument
- Tepesomoto–Pataste Nature Reserve
- Tiscapa Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Tisma Lagoon Natural Reserve
- Volcán Maderas Natural Reserve
- Volcán Pilas El Hoyo Natural Reserve
- Volcán San Cristóbal Natural Reserve
- Volcán San Cristóbal-Casita Natural Reserve
- Volcán Telica Rota Natural Reserve
- Volcán Yali Natural Reserve
- Yolaina Natural Reserve
- Yucul Genetic Reserve
- Yulu Karata Natural Reserve
- Yulu Natural Reserve
- Zapatera Archipelago National Park
See also
In Spanish: Áreas protegidas de Nicaragua para niños
- National System of Protected Areas (Nicaragua)
- Tourism in Nicaragua
- Wildlife of Nicaragua
