{{Short description|Department of Nicaragua}} {{distinguish|text=Granada District in Peru}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Granada | native_name = | other_name = Departamento de Granada | settlement_type = Department <!-- images, nickname, motto --> | image_skyline = | image_caption = | image_flag = Flag of Granada, Nicaragua.svg | image_shield = Seal_of_Granada,_Nicaragua.svg | motto = | nickname = | etymology = <!-- location --> | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Nicaragua | subdivision_type1 = | subdivision_name1 = | subdivision_type2 = | subdivision_name2 = | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = <!-- maps and coordinates --> | image_map = Granada Department in Nicaragua.svg | map_caption = | pushpin_map = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | coordinates_footnotes = <!-- seat --> | seat = Granada | seat_type = Capital <!-- established --> | established_title = | established_date = <!-- area --> | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 1040 | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = <!-- elevation --> | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = <!-- population --> | population_as_of = 2023 estimate | population_footnotes = | population_total = 219244 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_density_sq_mi= | population_urban = | population_demonym = <!-- time zone(s) --> | timezone1 = | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = <!-- postal codes, area code --> | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | geocode = | iso_code = | blank_name = ISO 3166-2 | blank_info = NI-GR <!-- website, footnotes --> | website = | footnotes = }} '''Granada''' is an administrative division and department in northwestern Nicaragua. The city of Granada serves as the capital of the department. It is spread over an area of {{cvt|1040|km2}} and had a population of 219,244 inhabitants in 2023.
==History== The city of Granada was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba after the Spanish city of Granada and is one of the oldest Spanish established settlements in the Americas. It was subject to several pirate attacks between the 17th and 19th centuries, and was completely destroyed by William Walker during the civil war in 1854.<ref name="UN">{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/1819/|title=City of Granada and its natural environment |work=UNESCO |access-date=13 April 2026}}</ref><ref name="VN">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitanicaragua.com/granada/ |title=Department of Granada |work=Visit Nicaragua |access-date=13 April 2026 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260311032757/https://www.visitanicaragua.com/granada/ |archive-date=11 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="Brit">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Granada-Nicaragua|title=Granada|work=Britannica|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> After the war, it was reconstructed and the region developed a blend of colonial and neoclassical architecture. In the 19th century, before the construction of the Panama Canal, it served as part a "Transit Route", a canal route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.<ref name="UN"/><ref name="VN" />
==Geography== Granada is one of the fifteen departments of Nicaragua. It is spread over an area of {{cvt|1040|km2}}.<ref name="CP">{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/nicaragua/admin/ |title=Nicaragua: Departments and Municipalities |work=City Population.de |access-date=13 April 2026}}</ref> Its capital, Granada, is situated {{cvt|45|km}} southeast from the city of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua.<ref name="UN"/><ref name="Info">{{cite web|url=https://www.nicaragua.com/regions/granada-region/|title=Granada region|work=Nicaragua.com|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> Situated on the coast of Lake Nicaragua, it has several lakes, volcanoes, lagoons, beaches, and islands, several of which form part of protected areas such as national parks and reserves.<ref name="UN"/><ref name="Info"/> The Masaya Volcano and the associated national park established in 1979, forms part of the district.<ref name="Brit"/><ref>{{cite gvp|vn=344100|title=Masaya|access-date=1 June 2009}}</ref>
The department incorporates four municipalities–Diriá, Diriomo, Granada, and Nandaime.<ref name="CP"/><ref name="Info"/> The city of Granada is a major commercial, cultural and transport hub.<ref name="Brit"/><ref name="UN"/> The historic city centre is spread over {{cvt|105|hectare}} and incorporates 376 buildings of architectural value, and forms part of a protected area.<ref name="UN"/>
==Demographics== As per 2023 estimate, Granada department has a population of 219,244 inhabitants.<ref name="CP"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{NicaraguaDepartments}}
{{coord|11|56|N|85|57|W|source:euwiki_region:NI-GR_type:adm1st|display=title}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Granada Department Category:Departments of Nicaragua