Managua
Managua, the capital of Nicaragua is by far the country’s largest city. Managua is the center of Nicaraguan transportation, commerce, finance, and manufacturing; is a major cultural and educational site. Built over geologic fault lines, Managua was badly damaged by earthquakes in 1931 and 1972, and most of its central area has never been rebuilt.

Leon
León (city, Nicaragua), western Nicaragua, capital of Leon Department. Leon is the transportation and cotton-trading center for the surrounding agricultural region. Manufactures include furniture, shoes, and leather goods.

Granada
Granada, southwestern Nicaragua, is the capital of Granada Department, on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. It is the chief port on the lake and one of the nation’s leading commercial, transportation, and manufacturing centers. Products include chemicals, textiles, and processed food. Nearby are Mombacho volcano and a group of scenic islands in the lake, the largest of which is Zapatera. These support a growing tourist industry.