You have learned a lot about Nicaragua. Your friend Jordan, however, knows nothing about it. In a few months, his family is going on a tour of Spanish speaking-countries, including Spain and several Central and South American countries. He has asked you to help him learn more about those places before his trip. His next trip is to Nicaragua. Write Jordan a three-paragraph letter in English, and compare Nicaraguan culture and American culture, especially in terms of foods, sports, transportation, population, and demographics. How is your culture similar to Nicaraguan culture? How is it different? Use a lot of details from what you've learned to help Jordan prepare for the trip, and have fun! Before you write, take notes on these questions to help you think of what to tell Jordan. 1) What are the five most interesting things you have learned about Nicaragua? 2) What are three aspects of Nicaraguan culture that are similar to the United States? 3) What are three aspects of Nicaraguan culture that are different from the United States? Now, here is a guide for your letter. You don't have to follow this pattern exactly, but feel free to use it if it's helpful. Hey Jordan, It's cool that you get to visit Nicaragua. Here are some interesting things about it. (Now describe some of these things.) Some things in Nicaragua are very different from the United States. For example, (describe a few differences) Some things in Nicaragua are a lot like the United States. For example, (describe a few similarities) Have a great trip! Bring me back a souvenir! (Sign your name)

Hey Jordan. It's cool that you get to visit Nicaragua. Here are some interesting things about it.

If you lived in Nicaragua instead of United States, you would:

HEALTH

BE 34.5% LESS LIKELY TO BE OBESE

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Nicaragua, that number is 23.7% of people as of 2016.

LIVE 6.1 YEARS LESS

In United States, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Nicaragua, that number is 74 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2020.

ECONOMY

PAY A 24.2% LOWER TOP TAX RATE

United States has a top tax rate of 39.6% as of 2016. In Nicaragua, the top tax rate is 30.0% as of 2016.

MAKE 90.1% LESS MONEY

United States has a GDP per capita of $59,800 as of 2017, while in Nicaragua, the GDP per capita is $5,900 as of 2017.

BE 45.5% MORE LIKELY TO BE UNEMPLOYED

In United States, 4.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2017. In Nicaragua, that number is 6.4% as of 2017.

BE 96.0% MORE LIKELY TO BE LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE

In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line as of 2010. In Nicaragua, however, that number is 29.6% as of 2015.

LIFE

HAVE 37.9% MORE CHILDREN

In United States, there are approximately 12.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2020. In Nicaragua, there are 17.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2020.

BE 10.4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE DURING CHILDBIRTH

In United States, approximately 19.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Nicaragua, 198.0 women do as of 2017.

BE 3.1 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE DURING INFANCY

In United States, approximately 5.3 children die before they reach the age of one as of 2020. In Nicaragua, on the other hand, 16.5 children do as of 2020.

BASIC NEEDS

BE 18.2% LESS LIKELY TO HAVE ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY

In United States, approximately 100% of the population has electricity access as of 2016. In Nicaragua, 82% of the population do as of 2016.

BE 68.1% LESS LIKELY TO HAVE INTERNET ACCESS

In United States, approximately 87.3% of the population has internet access as of 2018. In Nicaragua, about 27.9% do as of 2018.

BE 16.1% LESS LIKELY TO HAVE ACCESS TO IMPROVED DRINKING WATER

In United States, approximately 99% of people have improved drinking water access (100% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2017. In Nicaragua, that number is 83% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 63% in rural areas) as of 2017.

EXPENDITURES

SPEND 14.0% LESS ON EDUCATION

United States spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2014. Nicaragua spends 4.3% of total GDP on education as of 2017.

GEOGRAPHY

SEE 95.4% LESS COASTLINE

United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In Nicaragua, that number is 910 km. Some things in Nicaragua are very different from the United States. Nicaragua Is The Ideal Destination For The Intrepid Traveller. Nicaragua Has A Mosquito Coast That Is Not Named After Mosquitos. Nicaragua Is Central America's Largest Country. Nicaragua Is Highly Prone To Natural Disasters. Central America's Largest Lake Is In Nicaragua. Some things in Nicaragua are a lot like the United States. For example, Catholicism, they bury their dead in cemeteries and funerals take place beforehand, baseball is as popular there as it is here.