NICARAGUA

            Nicaragua is a diverse country. Nicaraguan music consists of indigenous and Spanish influences. Musical instruments include the Marimba, which is accompanied by a bass fiddle, guitar and guitarrilla. The music is played at social events, as background music.  

            Nicaraguan dancing has grown popular with the introduction of Nicaraguan artists, including Gustavo Leyton, on Ometepe Island and in Managua. Salsa and Bachata dancing has become extremely popular in Managua's nightclubs. Rural areas tend to have a stronger focus on movement of the hips and turns. The dance style in cities focuses mostly on more sophisticated footwork in addition to movement and turns.

            By far, baseball is the most popular sport in Nicaragua. It was introduced to Nicaragua in the 19th century in the Caribbean coast,  by a man named Albert Addlesberg, a retailer from the United States. The first baseball team formed in Nicaragua was called La Sociedad de Recreo, meaning Recreation Society. Eventually, Nicaraguan players joined the MLB. The most memorable player, Dennis Martínez, was the 13th player in the MLB to ever pitch a perfect game, but the first Latin-born player.

            Boxing is the second most popular sport in Nicaragua. The country has had world champions such as Alexis Argüello, Ricardo Mayorga, and Román González. Recently, football has gained popularity. The Dennis Martínez National Stadium has served as a venue for both baseball and football. The first ever national football-only stadium in Managua, the Nicaragua National Football Stadium, was completed in 2011.