Publisher: SIL International
Publication date: 1998
Number of pages: 15
Nicaragua is divided into two major regions: the Pacific, or western side and the Caribbean, or eastern side. The Pacific side of the country is more mountainous and is inhabited predominantly by Spanish speakers. The eastern side is called the Atlantic Coast or Miskito Coast. It is more or less flat and inhabited by several different ethnic groups speaking several different languages. The national constitution of 1987 granted autonomy to the eastern 52% of the country. This autonomous region is divided into northern, Región Autonoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.) and southern regions, Región Autonoma Atlántico Sur (R.A.A.S.).1 Most Creoles live in the southern autonomous region.