The region around Chinandega produces agricultural products, particularly oil, flour, peanuts, shrimp, and sugarcane, and distilled liquors.

The department of Chinandega is 4,929 square kilometres (1,903 sq mi) in area and has a population of 378,970 distributed among thirteen municipalities: Chinandega (department seat), El Viejo, Corinto, Chichigalpa, Posoltega, El Realejo, Puerto Morazán, Villanueva, Somotillo, Santo Tomás del Norte, San Juan de Cinco Pinos, San Pedro del Norte and San Francisco del Norte.

Chinandega is a center of agriculture growing sugarcane, bananas, peanuts, sesame seeds, cashews, oranges, and grains.

The city is also home to the largest sugar mills and rum factory (Flor de Caña) in the country.

[3] Natives of the department include Salomón Ibarra Mayorga, writer of the national anthem of Nicaragua; Tino López Guerra, composer of "Rey del Corrido"; the priest Tomás Ruiz, and athletes Vicente Padilla and Próspero González.

"[6][7][8][9] Chinandega was a small city during the colonial era, but its location among fertile flatlands and its position as a commercial center led to its eventual rise in importance.

According to documents from Bishop Morel of Santa Cruz dated June 1751, "This church owns three naves on the river, with its sacristy and choir close by, two small bells, limestone walls, and tiled floors".

El Calvario ("Calvary") Parish is located in the neighborhood of the same name, and was built in 1874 by Bishop Monsignor Manuel Ulloa y Calvo.

Chinandega has many colonial-era buildings, though not to the extent of the Nicaraguan cities of León and Granada, since many of them were damaged during a 1928 bombardment by the Liberal forces, who had revolted against Conservative Adolfo Díaz.

Chinandega's cultural and historical riches date from before the Spanish conquest, when this region was inhabited by various Mesoamerican peoples, who had perhaps originated from the north, possibly from present-day Mexico.

Tigres de Chinandega also call the city home as a member of the Nicaragua Professional Baseball League.