Nicaragua is a unitary republic, divided for administrative purposes into fifteen departments () and two autonomous regions ().

Evolution of Nicaragua's territorial organization 1858-08-19: After gaining its independence, Nicaragua drafted the Constitution of 1858, which established seven departments: Chinandega, Chontales, Granada, León, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, and Rivas. 1883: Masaya Department created. 1891: Carazo Department was created in 1891 1891-10-15: Jinotega Department created from Matagalpa Department. Estelí Department created from Nueva Segovia. 1894: Mosquito Coast ceded to Nicaragua and the Zelaya Department formed from it. 1936-11-11: Madriz Department created from Nueva Segovia DepartmentMadriz Department 1938: Boaco Department is formed from a part of Chontales Department 1957: Río San Juan Department created from parts of Chontales and Zelaya departments.R%C3%ADo San Juan Department 1987: Zelaya Department divided into North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (NCCAR) and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region (SCCAR).Zelaya Department

Departments ISO Map Department Capital Population (2023) Area (km2) Pop. density (km−2) Boaco Boaco

Carazo Jinotepe

Chinandega Chinandega

Chontales Juigalpa

Estelí Estelí

Granada Granada

Jinotega Jinotega

León León

Madriz Somoto

Managua Managua

Masaya Masaya

Matagalpa Matagalpa

Nueva Segovia Ocotal

Rivas Rivas

Río San Juan San Carlos

Autonomous regions In 1987, the new constitution established the Charter of Autonomy (limited self-government) for the former department of Zelaya, comprising the entire eastern half of the country. The department was divided into two autonomous regions (communities): the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region and the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. The Charter of Autonomy is largely based on the model used by Spain. The communities are governed by a Governor and a Regional Council.

ISO Map Autonomous region Capital Population (2023) Area (km2) Pop. density (km−2) North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region Bilwi

South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region Bluefields

See also

ISO 3166-2:NI

Notes

(INETER). . March, 2000. (INIFOM). . International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Codes for the representation of names of countries and their subdivisions. ISO 3166-2:NI.