Matagalpa () is an administrative division and department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of and has a population of 613,262 in 2023. The capital and seat of the department is at Matagalpa. It is one of the country's principal coffee-producing regions.
Geography
Matagalpa is one of the departments of Nicaragua. It is situated in the central part of the country and covers an area of . It borders the departments of Jinotega, Boaco, Managua, León, and the North and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region. Matagalpa is the seat of the department, and the major commercial centre in the region. It is located along the Pan American Highway and watered by the Río Grande de Matagalpa and its tributaries. The Dariense and Isabellia mountain ranges pass through the department. There are several waterfalls including the Rio Santa Emilia and reserves including the Apante Hill nature reserve and Selva Negra.
The department is an important agricultural region, particularly for the cultivation of coffee.