Known as the "land of lakes and volcanoes," Nicaragua offers a rich cultural tradition and a geography that is graced with a climate suitable for cultivating a wide variety of crops and livestock. Its rivers, volcanoes, coastlines, and timber and mineral resources present impressive economic potential and, consequently, a great challenge to sound environmental management. The Nicaraguan people themselves must be considered as the country's most important national asset with an indomitable spirit and energy expressed in their language, music, poetry, and vibrant cultural traditions.

Nicaragua is a land of turbulent history and social conflict, and events of the past decades have been reported widely throughout the world. Today the work of reconstruction and reconciliation under an elected government replaces those days of revolutionary change.

With more than half its population unemployed or underemployed, Nicaragua faces many pressing developmental challenges. Severe environmental degradation and flood damage has compromised the fragile food security of many of the rural areas. Limited access to healthcare and health education has led to a high rate of child mortality. Rural economic development is slowed by the lack of business training and access to credit.

The Peace Corps program works to help Nicaraguans respond to these challenges and improve their quality of life through five projects: small business development, health, environment, agriculture, and teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL).