Nicaragua, officially the Republic of Nicaragua, is a country located in the Central American region of the Americas. It is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, and features a diverse geography that includes both volcanic highlands and extensive Caribbean coastlines. The nation's capital is Managua, and it has historically been a crossroads of trade and cultural exchange. With a population of approximately 6.6 million people, Nicaragua maintains a complex blend of indigenous traditions and modern development challenges.