Carazo

Carazo may refer to:

Carazo Department

Carazo (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈɾaso]) is a department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of 1,081 km² and has a population of 177,100 (2005 census). The capital is Jinotepe.

Geography

Much of the department consists of a large plain sloping gently down towards the Pacific Ocean. The main urban centres are Diriamba and Jinotepe in the interior. The adjoining departments are Managua, Masaya, Granada and Rivas.

The climate is tropical with the temperature varying between 28 and 32 °C (82 and 90 °F). The hottest months are April and May. The rain falls mainly between May and October and the rest of the year is dry.

Economy and tourism

The inland part of the department produces a variety of agricultural crops including high quality coffee and near the ocean the subtropical climate suits citrus trees and sugar cane. Livestock and cereal crops are also produced there and stone of volcanic origin is quarried.

The Pacific coast offers beaches with tourist facilities. Other tourist destinations include the Salto de la Culebra Waterfall, and the Centro Ecoturístico La Máquina, a private nature reserve, both near Diriamba. The Museo Ecológico de Trópico Seco is a museum in Diriamba which has displays on the flora and fauna of the department.

Carazo (surname)

Carazo is a Spanish surname. Notable people with the surname include: