Managua () is a department in Nicaragua. It covers an area of 3,465 km2 and has a population of 1,559,774 (2021 estimate), making it the country's most populated department. The capital is the city of Managua, which is also the capital of Nicaragua. The department has two coastlines, on the Pacific Ocean and on Lake Managua, but does not border Lake Nicaragua. Municipalities Ciudad Sandino El Crucero Managua Mateare San Francisco Libre San Rafael del Sur Ticuantepe Tipitapa Villa Carlos Fonseca References Departments of Nicaragua