Nicaragua

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Nicaragua, a Province of New-Spain, belonging to the Government or Lieutenancy of Guatimala; is a Country very fruitfull in Maiz, but wants Corn. It abounds with excellent Pastures and Cattle, but hath no Sheep. There is also great store of Cotton, and the Woods are full of great Trees, whereof some are of that Bigness, that fifteen Men joining their hands together cannot compass the Trunk or Body of them. Almost all the Savages of this Country can speak Spanish, and are very skilfull and ingenious Artists. The Lake of Nicaragua is very considerable for its largeness, as being above 130 Leagues in Compass; it breeds a vast number of Fish, and Plenty of Crocodiles, and ebbs and flows like the Sea. The Capital City of this Province is called Leon of Nicaragua, stands upon the Shoar of the great Luke, and is the residence of the Governour and other Officers of the King of Spain, and is also a Bishop's See under the Archbishop of Mexico. About three Leagues from this City, is a Vulcano, or burning Mountain, which every Evening and Morning sends forth a thick Smoak, and casts up a prodigious quantity of burnt Stones. The second City of this Province is Grenada, 16 Leagues from Leon. About 7 Leagues from Grenada is another Vulcano, the Top whereof, notwithstanding the Fire and Smoak it casts forth at times, is covered with fruit-bearing Trees. Laet's History of the New-World.