North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region

The North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region^[a] is one of two autonomous regions in Nicaragua. It was created along with the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region by the Autonomy Statute of 7 September 1987 through a division of the former Zelaya Department. It covers an area of 33,106 km² and has a population of 541,189 (2021 estimate). It is the largest autonomous region or department in Nicaragua. The capital is Puerto Cabezas. It contains part of the region known as the Mosquito Coast.

North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region
Autonomous region
Flag Coat of arms
Location of the North Caribbean Autonomous Region in Nicaragua.
Coordinates: 14°01′41″N 83°22′51″W
Country	Nicaragua
Capital	Puerto Cabezas
Largest city	Puerto Cabezas
Seat	Puerto Cabezas
Municipalities	List Bonanza Mulukukú Prinzapolka Puerto Cabezas Rosita Siuna Waslala Waspam
Government
• Type	Devolved government under presidential republic
• Body	Regional Council
• Regional Coordinator (Governor)	TBDL leader (FSLN)
Population  (2021 estimate)[1]
• Total	541,189
GDP (Nominal, 2015 US dollar)
• Total	$600 million (2023)[2]
• Per capita	$1,000 (2023)
GDP (PPP, 2015 int. dollar)
• Total	$1.6 billion (2023)
• Per capita	$2,700 (2023)
ISO 3166 code	NI-AN
Autonomy Statute	30 October 1987
Official languages	Spanish Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole) Miskito Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa) Rama Garifuna
Regional Council	47 councilors
National Assembly	2 deputies (of 92)[citation needed]

The North Autonomous Caribbean Coast has a Regional Council of representatives of different political parties, such as the Sandinistas (FSLN) and YATAMA (ethnic indigenous party), as well as all the municipalities. They hold sessions in an Assembly in Puerto Cabezas.

The North Autonomous Caribbean Coast, in addition to Mestizos, contains populations from different indigenous groups, including the Miskitos, Mayangnas, and others. The regional official languages are Creole (Moskitian Creole and Rama Cay Creole), Miskito, Sumo (Mayangna and Ulwa), Garifuna, and Rama, in addition to the national official language of Spanish,^[3] most males in Puerto Cabezas speak some English from when it was a US fruit plantation.

Municipalities

The RACCN contains eight municipalities:

1. Bonanza
2. Mulukukú
3. Prinzapolka
4. Puerto Cabezas
5. Rosita
6. Siuna
7. Waslala
8. Waspam

Notable people

• Dorotea Wilson, politician and activist

See also

• Nicaragua portal

• South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region

Notes

1. Spanish: Región Autónoma de la Costa Caribe Norte; abbr.: RACCN and formerly known as the North Atlantic Autonomous Region (Spanish: Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte), RAAN