Nueva Segovia (Spanish pronunciation:[ˈnweβaseˈɣoβja]) is a departmentinNicaragua. It covers an area of 3,491 km2 and has a population of 275,291 (2021 estimate). Nueva Segovia is also home to the indigenous Chorotegas and Nahuas.[2][3] The capital is Ocotal.
In pre-Columbian times the region was inhabited by Native American people known as Mayangnas and Matagalpas. Later arrivals include the Nahua from Mexico and the Chorotega peoples from Cholula.[4] One of the first regions of Nicaragua to be colonized by the Spaniards, the conquistadors established the city of Vieja and later Antigua, to implement the Corregimiento system over the indigenous inhabitants. The corregidor served as a type of mayor to administrate a district, exploiting the local populations to mine gold and other minerals for Spain.[5] The Spanish period decimated the indigenous population reducing its numbers from estimates of 75,000 people to 4,500 at the end of their occupation.[6]
After gaining its independence, Nicaragua drafted the Constitution of 1858, which established seven departments: Chinandega, Chontales, Granada, León, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, and Rivas.[5] The Department of Jinotega was created from Matagalpa in 1892. Simultaneously, the Estelí Department was created from Nueva Segovia.[6] Nueva Segovia was further divided in 1936 with the creation of the Madriz Department.[7]
In 1926, during the United States occupation of NicaraguaLas Segovias became the center of the guerrilla warfare led by Augusto César Sandino, who established a network of espionage agents and collaborators from the local population.[5][6] In 1933, during the negotiations for peace in the region, Sandino asked newly elected president Juan Bautista Sacasa to create a large autonomous department covering the area of Las Segovias. Sandino's plan would have allowed him to administer the department and manage the civilian and military authorities. The government rejected the plan, giving the rebels only a small colony on the banks of the Coco River, where the former troops were allowed to farm.[6]
