Managua

Nicaragua's largest city and capital, Managua sits on the southwest shore of Lake Xolotlán, with a centre that has rebuilt itself around a walkable café and restaurant scene after devastating earthquakes in 1931 and 1972 left much of the old city in ruins. Elevated to a town in 1819 and declared capital in 1852, it was chosen partly to resolve a long-running colonial rivalry between León and Granada. Mountains are visible from the city, and the lake is within easy reach.

• Population937,489
• Nearest water from center3.2 km
• Nearest mountain from center3.5 km
• UNESCO within 50 km1