Nicaragua, one of the hemisphere's poorest countries, faces low per capita income, flagging socio-economic indicators, and huge external debt. While the country has made progress toward macro-economic stabilization over the past few years, a banking crisis and scandal has shaken the economy. Managua will continue to be dependent on international aid and debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Donors have made aid conditional on improving governability, the openness of government financial operation, poverty alleviation, and human rights. Nicaragua met the conditions for additional debt service relief in December 2000. Growth should remain moderate to high in 2001.
Industry:
food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood
Ethnicgroups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Yellow fever:
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Malaria:
Malaria risk—predominantly due to P. vivax—is high throughout the year in 119 municipalities, with the highest risk in Chinandega, Jinotega, Nueva Segovía, RAAN, RAAS and Rio San Juan. In the other 26 municipalities, in the departments of Carazo, Madriz and Masaya, transmission risk is low or negligible. No chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum reported.
