Surveyed Communities
Community 1 - 200 households in Nicaragua, 18 households in the United States, 20 households in Costa Rica
Community 2 - 195 households in Nicaragua, 6 households in the United States, and 21 households in Costa Rica
Community 2 is situated 100 kilometers from Managua, on the eastern side of the departamento of Rivas. Located in a semi-humid climate zone, the city is a hot tourist spot due to its attractive panoramic view and proximity to Lake Cocibolca (a.k.a. Lake Nicaragua), the Ometepe Island and the Concepción and Madera volcanoes. Another important economic activity in the municipio is agriculture, in particular the production of rice, corn and sorghum, along with some varieties of berries. Some fishing activity is devoted to self-consumption and local trade. Many community residents hold jobs in the larger city of Rivas, located at short distance from the survey area.
The social service network favors the more urbanized portion of the municipality. There are three elementary schools and one secondary education school, which are not sufficient to accommodate all school-age children residing in the community. As a result, several youngsters go to school in other communities within the departamento, mostly in the city of Rivas. The community also has a health center with municipal coverage, and a (drinkable) water network that provides service to 40% of households. Just like in community 1, there is no sanitary sewage system in the municipality. The town is also connected to the national telephonic network and has postal services. A broad, paved road connects the municipio with the city of Rivas. Such road and a well-kept dock have allowed the city to become an important node between the departamento and the Ometepe Island in the great lake. This has naturally reinforced the aforementioned tourist appeal of the town.
Community 3 - 202 households in Nicaragua, 22 households in the United States, 11 households in Costa Rica
Community 4 - 200 households in Nicaragua, 2 households in Costa Rica
Community 5 - 200 households in Nicaragua, 2 households in the United States, 19 households in Costa Rica
Community 6 & 7 - 100 households in Nicaragua for Community 6, 100 households in Nicaragua for Community 7, 10 households in the United States, 18 households in Costa Rica for both communities
Community 8 - 201 households in Nicaragua, 3 households in the United States, 13 households in Costa Rica
Community 9 - 200 households in Nicaragua, 4 households in the United States, 22 households in Costa Rica
