Madriz () is an administrative division and department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of and has a population of 181,328 in 2023. The capital and seat of the department is at Somoto. It was created from Nueva Segovia department in 1936, and is named after former Nicaraguan president José Madriz.
History
Madriz department was created from Nueva Segovia department in 1936, and is named after former Nicaraguan president José Madriz. Augusto Cesar Sandino and his army fought an armed rebellion for Nicaragua against the United States in the region in the late 1920s. It is bordered by the departments of Chinandega, Esteli, Jinotega and Nueva Segovia. It also shares a land border with the Choluteca Department in Honduras. Somoto is the largest city and seat of the department.
The department's topography consists of mountainous terrain interspersed with valleys, covered with forests and coffee plantations.