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RIVAS - Rivas | |
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Physical Description The Department of Rivas is located in the far southwest of Nicaragua. Its entire eastern sector is bordered by Lake Nicaragua (the 10th largest lake in the world and also home of the only freshwater sharks) and to the west it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, making it a true isthmus. A range of low mountains parallels to the coast. Its northern boundary is Rio Ochomogo and its southern border is Costa Rica. Rivas, the capital city, is located midway on the isthmus at Km 111 on the Pan-American highway. The city, whose population is near 40,000, serves as a hub for market goods and transportation for the department's 145,000 inhabitants. The department is heavily dependent on tourism, the Island of Ometepe and San Juan del Sur being tourist destinations. Both local buses and through buses to Costa Rica originate in Rivas. Economy The economy is based on tourism, cattle ranching and agriculture. The agriculture in Rivas is mainly plantains, sugar cane, rice, and grenadine. Cattle ranching is growing stronger; there is now a state of the art genetic center for artificial insemination of cattle. This is helping to produce stronger and more desired breeds. Last year, several new restaurants, hotels, and a disco opened they appear to have a steady flow of customers. This year Rivas opened a new vegetable market. Nevertheless, the unemployment is high. Housing is available, but it is expensive. History Rivas traces its history back to 606 AD when various indigenous tribes gathered and settled in the area. The Spaniards first visited the area in 1522 and again in 1524. The current population is a mixture of Creole, Indian, Mulatto and Spanish. A Catholic Church was built in 1607. The city of Rivas was officially recognized in 1835. William Walker stormed the city in June of 1855 but was repulsed by a teacher, Emanuel Mongalo, who became a local hero. A second battle ensued in 1865 forever banishing Walker from Rivas. The twentieth century parallels that of the rest of Nicaragua with its various invasions, dictators, and wars. Ex-President Violetta Chamorro is a native from Rivas and also her son, who is now the Minister of Defense, Pedro Joquian Chamorro. Community Structure The city is laid out in a grid pattern with a central park and a large cathedral at its center. It has a large market, bus station and most goods and services can be found in the various stores and shops. There is also a new vegetable and fruit market located to the south of the central park. Rivas has yet to get a supermarket, but there are a few mini-supers where one can find almost everything one may need. There are several gyms, a movie theatre, a basketball and a baseball stadium, numerous churches, schools, universities, a public library, a hospital, many clinics, laboratories, and a disco. There are several places that have internet in Rivas, mostly computer schools and businesses that limit access to students and employees. However, access is available for a fee at the Agriculture University and a computation school on the main street in town. Within the city, transportation is available by taxis and by horse-drawn carriages. Potable water, electricity, phone service and cable TV are available. However, the city is frequently without water or electricity at least two to three days a week. ENITEL provides four public phones and a post office provides daily fax and mail service. Hotels The hotel Nicarao is located in the center of town and Rivas Tropical is located on the Pan-American Highway just before you enter Rivas. Both are excellent hotels and a little pricey for a Peace Corps Volunteer. Hospedajes El Coco, La Primavera, and International are all located on the Pan-American Highway. Hospedaje Lidias is located just 1/2 a block west from the Texaco gas station. They are fairly clean and are reasonable priced. Food With the market, new vegetable and fruit market, and the various mini-supers almost anything can be purchased in Rivas. The fruits and vegetables arrive almost daily and are abundant and inexpensive, but seasonal crops affect the variety. There is an abundance of places to purchase tortillas, nacatamales, cooked beans, and fresh breads (simple breads but fresh). Restaurants El Principe: located next to the baseball stadium on the Pan-American Highway. They serve a variety of tropical food and a version of Chinese. La Estancia: located about 200 meters south of El Principe. They serve excellent seafood. Hotel Nicaro: located in the center of town next to the movie theatre. They offer typical food and excellent fried cheese and tostones. Sodas, Cafetines, Small
Restaurants Concha Shell: next to the Shell gas station Soda Rayula: 1/4 block south from the Texaco Pizza Hot and Chop Suey both located in the central park on opposite corners. There is also Super Pollo, El Meson and numerous Eskimo outlets. Transportation Buses leave from the main market to all major cities south of Managua with great regularity. Beginning at 5:00 am buses leave every half-hour for Managua. The schedule for buses within the department varies, but service is available to all of the municipalities: Tola, Nancimi, Belen, Potosi, Buenas Aires, Salinas, San Jorge, San Juan del Sur, and the Frontera. If you have any questions about the bus schedules, there is a kiosk in the market where you can ask about the times. Express buses are now available to Managua from port in San Jorge and the new Rivas market. These leave approximately ever hour. Work Activities Rivas has the usual government agencies: MARENA, MINSA, FONIF, SILIAS, MED, and PROCESUR. There are numerous groups and Ngos to work with: Casa de Cultura, Casa de Mujeres and Civite. There is not a great deal of international aid or many aid organizations in Rivas. Banks are numerous: Bancentro, Banco de Café, Banic, and Banco Popular. There are a number of loan cooperatives and NGOs: Chispa, Asoderi, Fama, Acodep, and Finde. Activities Rivas itself is not a tourist destination. It has an interesting horseback riding and a beautiful relaxing seetting. To the south about 25 km is San Juan del Sur which is oriented for the tourist. There are a variety of places to stay ranging from expensive and comfortable to cheap and adventurous. A plethora of restaurants also offer abundant seafood selections with beachfront seating. The beach is wonderful, and there are many virgin beaches only minutes away from San Juan. Rivas, Rivas |
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