Theprotected areas of Nicaragua are areas that have natural beauty or significance and are protected byNicaragua. Nicaragua has 78 protected areas that cover 22,422 km2, about 17.3% of the nationslandmass. TheNational System of Protected Areas (SINAP) is administered by theMinistry of the Environment and Natural Resources (MARENA).
The Peninsula of Cosigüina Wildlife Refuge was established in 1958 and was the first protected area in Nicaragua. Two more protected areas were established in 1979 and there was a total of 25 by 1990. Prior to 1979, theCentral Bank of Nicaragua was assigned responsibility for the twonational parks and one natural reserve created during theSomoza regime.[1]
In March 1999, a new law established regulations for private reserves in Nicaragua. Privatewildlife reserves are defined as private areas dedicated to conservation by their landowners and recognized by MARENA, on the basis of certain criteria and the potential for the conservations ofbiodiversity.[2]
This is a complete list ofprotected areas inNicaragua:[3]
