Las Segovias is a region encompassed by the five departments of northern Nicaragua:
Estelí,
Jinotega,
Madriz,
Matagalpa, and Nueva Segovia. The natural boundaries, are bordered on the north by the mountains around
Dipilto,
Jalapa and
Mozonte, which extend to the
Coco River. On the southern border, the area is bounded by the mountains around the towns of
La Trinidad and
San Nicolás, which sweep downward to the valleys between
Sébaco and
El Sauce. Towards the east the river valleys bordering
La Concordia,
Jinotega,
San Sebastián de Yalí and
Wiwilí de Jinotega form the demarcations of the natural boundary. Finally, on the west the boundary extends from the slope of a mountainous triangle which extends to the
coastal plain adjacent to the
Pacific Ocean encompassing
Estelí,
San José de Cusmapa, and
San Juan de Limay. In pre-Columbian times the region was inhabited by Native American people known as
Mayangnas and
Matagalpas. Later arrivals include the
Nahua from Mexico and the
Chorotega peoples from
Cholula. The Spanish period decimated the indigenous population reducing its numbers from estimates of 75,000 people to 4,500 at the end of their occupation. After gaining its independence, Nicaragua drafted the Constitution of 1858, which established seven departments: Chinandega, Chontales, Granada, León, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, and Rivas. In 1926, during the
United States occupation of Nicaragua Las Segovias became the center of the
guerrilla warfare led by
Augusto César Sandino, who established a network of espionage agents and collaborators from the local population. In 1933, during the negotiations for peace in the region, Sandino asked newly elected president
Juan Bautista Sacasa to create a large autonomous department covering the area of
Las Segovias. Sandino's plan would have allowed him to administer the department and manage the civilian and military authorities. The government rejected the plan, giving the rebels only a small colony on the banks of the Coco River, where the former troops were allowed to farm. == Municipalities ==