Bluefields

Bluefields
Cariay
View of the Carl Rigby Museum
Coastal Glories Stadium
View from Bluefields Bay
Bluefields
Location in Nicaragua
Coordinates: 12°00′40″N 83°46′13″W / 12.01111°N 83.77028°W / 12.01111; -83.77028
Country Nicaragua
Autonomous RegionSouth Caribbean Autonomous Region
Government
 • MayorDinah Melinda Downs Lewin
Area
 • City and municipality
4,774.75 km2 (1,843.54 sq mi)
Elevation
25 m (82 ft)
Population
 (2023 estimate)
 • City and municipality
58,633
 • Density12.280/km2 (31.805/sq mi)
 • Urban
56,421
Time zoneUTC-06:00 (CST)
ClimateAf

Bluefields (Spanish pronunciation: [bluˈfjels]) is a city and municipality on the central Mosquito Coast, and capital of the South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region, Nicaragua. Historically, it held far greater significance as the political and administrative capital of the Kingdom of Mosquitia, which maintained independence and later protectorate status under Great Britain during the 17th to 19th centuries. Following the kingdom's annexation in 1894, the city became the capital of the Zelaya Department.