Casa Basel
About Granada
Granada is a city in western Nicaragua and the capital of the Granada Department. With an estimated population of 123,697 (as of 2012), it is Nicaragua's sixth most populous city. Granada is historically one of Nicaragua's most important cities, economically and politically. It has a rich colonial heritage, seen in its architecture and structure.
Granada was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, ostensibly the first European city in mainland America. Unlike other cities that claim the same distinction, the city of Granada was not only the settlement of the conquest, but also a city registered in official records of the Crown of Aragon, and the Kingdom of Castile in Spain. Granada is also known as La Gran Sultana, in reflection of its Moorish and Andalusian appearance, unlike its sister city of León and historical rival, which displays Castilian trends.
Granada has long been a center of commerce, including timber, gold and silver. Granada's economy continues to grow as it is becoming the national tourism hub. Though Granada remains Nicaragua's sixth largest city, it is widely known for preserving some of the finest colonial-era architecture in the country. A real estate boom had been underway for several years, with many European and Americans purchasing and renovating the area's homes for retirement or holiday homes and several foreign realtors establishing offices, but that boom slowed in 2007.
Many museums have opened, including one of the finest in the country, the private Mi Museo, and new hotels and restaurants are proliferating at a fast rate.Granada, though now highly dependent on tourism, also has fertile agricultural land within the municipality. Major production of organic coffee and cacao, cattle, plantain andbananas occurs within its boundaries.
Granada's restaurants have received international recognition by newspapers like the New York Times. In the city of Granada, there are many restaurants including - cafe Espressonista, Ciudad Lounge, Pita Pita, Garden Cafe. In recent years, the city of Granada evolving culinary scene its gastronomy mixes local and international flavors, as well as supporting farm to table sustainability of local growers and producers. Granada's economy continues to grow in big part because it is fast becoming a tourist attraction for its colonial architecture, as well as its ecological beauty and now as a food destination.
-- from Granada, Nicaragua wikipedia entry with minor edits and changes
