León, NI, Nicaragua

León, NI, Nicaragua

León, NI Nicaragua

León is the second-largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua, and the capital and largest city of the León Department. Founded by the Spanish as Santiago de los Caballeros de León, the municipality had an estimated population of 206,264 in 2016. Located on the Río Chiquito (Chiquito River), about 90 kilometres (56 miles) northwest of Managua and roughly 18 kilometres (11 miles) east of the Pacific coast, León has long been the country’s political and intellectual centre. Its National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN), founded in 1813, is the second-oldest university in Central America. León is also a key industrial, agricultural and commercial hub, exporting sugar cane, cattle, peanuts, plantains and sorghum. The city has been home to many of Nicaragua’s most notable poets, including Rubén Darío, Alfonso Cortés and Salomón de la Selva.
Recommended airport
Managua Intl (MGA)
Nearby destinations
  • Chinandega a 33.52 km
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