TITLE II. THE STATE
SOLE CHAPTER
Article 6
Nicaragua is an independent, free, sovereign, unitary and indivisible State. It is organized as a democratic and social state based on the rule of law which promotes as superior values the protection of the dignity of the people through the legal order, liberty, justice, equality, solidarity, social responsibility and, in general, the primacy of human rights, ethics, and the common good. The female and male citizens and the family are the major elements in the decision-making, planning and administrative processes of the State.
Article 7
Nicaragua is a democratic republic. Democracy is practiced through direct, participatory, and representative mechanisms. The delegated functions of the sovereign power are expressed through the legislative, executive, judicial and electoral branches of government. They have specialized and distinct functions, cooperating harmoniously with each other for the achievement of their purposes.
There are other autonomous institutions and entities for the performance of specific functions of the State.
Article 8
The Nicaraguan people is of a multi-ethnic character and forms an integral part of the Central American nation.
Article 9
Nicaragua firmly defends Central American unity, supports and promotes all efforts to achieve political and economic integration and cooperation in Central America as well as efforts to establish and preserve peace in the region.
Nicaragua aspires to the unity of the people of Latin America and the Caribbean, inspired by the ideals of Bolivar and Sandino. Therefore, Nicaragua shall participate with other Central American and Latin American countries in the creation and election of the bodies necessary to achieve such goals. This principle shall be put into effect by the relevant legislation and treaties.
Article 10
The national territory is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean and the Republics of Honduras and Costa Rica. Nicaragua fixes its maritime boundaries with Honduras, Jamaica, Colombia, Panama and Costa Rica in the Caribbean Sea in accordance with the rulings of the International Court of Justice of October 8, 2007, and of November 19, 2012.
The sovereignty, jurisdiction and rights of Nicaragua extend to the islands, keys, banks and rocks located in in the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Fonseca; and to the internal waters, the territorial sea, the contiguous zone, the exclusive economic zone, the continental platform, and the corresponding airspace, in accordance with the rules and provisions of International Law, and the sentences issued by the International Court of Justice.
The Republic of Nicaragua only recognizes international obligations on its territory that have been freely consented to and in accordance with the Political Constitution of the Republic and the rules of International Law. Likewise, it does not accept any treaties signed by other countries to which Nicaragua is not a Contracting Party.
Article 11
Spanish is the official language of the State. The languages of the Communities of the Atlantic Coast shall also be officially used in the cases established by law.
Article 12
The city of Managua is the capital of the Republic and the government seat. In extraordinary circumstances these can be established elsewhere in the national territory.
Article 13
The symbols of the nation are the National Anthem, the Flag and the Official Seal, as established by the law that determines their characteristics and uses.
Article 14
The State has no official religion.
