León is the second largest city in
Nicaragua, after
Managua. It was founded by the Spanish as
Santiago de los Caballeros de León and rivals
Granada, Nicaragua, in the number of historic Spanish colonial churches, secular buildings, and private residences. As of 2012, the city had an estimated population of 201,100. which increases sharply during university season with many students coming from other regions of Nicaragua. It is the capital and largest city of
León Department.