Chinandega

Chinandega, town, northwestern Nicaragua, in the Pacific coastal lowlands. Its central section was destroyed during a revolutionary outbreak in 1927, and the town was a scene of heavy fighting between Sandinista guerrillas and government troops in 1978–79, with serious damage to property. As a commercial and manufacturing centre, Chinandega processes a variety of crops—chiefly cotton, sugarcane, and bananas—from the agricultural hinterland and has sawmills, tanneries, and metalworks. Its manufactures include furniture, perfume, and toilet water. The Pacific Railway runs through Chinandega, and a branch line leads to the port of Corinto. Chinandega is linked by highway to León city and Managua, the national capital. Chinandega suffered severe damage by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Schools, health centres, homes, and businesses were destroyed. Near Chinandega, the hurricane’s heavy rains caused large debris flows down the Casita Volcano, eventually causing its collapse and killing more than 2,000 people. Pop. (2005) urban area, 95,614.