On Aug. 21, 1823, a blue-white-blue flag was adopted by the five member states of the United Provinces of Central America, which included Nicaragua. From the mid-19th century various flag designs were used in Nicaragua, but the old flag was readopted in 1908, with a modified coat of arms, and reaffirmed by law on Aug. 27, 1971.

Nicaragua Official name: República de Nicaragua (Republic of Nicaragua). Form of government: unitary multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [93]). Head of state and government: President. Population (1998): 4,763,000. Population projection: (2000) 5,045,000; (2010) 6,429,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 27.8 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,705,000,000 (U.S.$380 per capita). Land use (1994): forested 26.3%; meadows and pastures 45.3%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 10.5%; other 17.9%.