Corinto

Corinto, port, northwestern Nicaragua. The country’s principal port on the Pacific Ocean, Corinto is located in sheltered Corinto Bay, which lies at the southeastern end of low-lying Aserradores (Punta Icaco) Island, connected by bridges with the mainland. It is the main port of entry for passengers and cargo bound for Nicaragua, and it handles most of the country’s exports, chiefly coffee, cotton, sugar, timber, and hides. The port was damaged by the Contrasin 1983–84 in various attacks directed by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency to sabotage the port and oil refinery. They destroyed nearly 3 millions gallons of fuel, and the city’s inhabitants had to be evacuated. In 1998 areas of Corinto were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. Highways lead to the cities of León, Managua (the national capital), and Granada. Pop. (2005) urban area, 16,466.