A document from the year 1855 with 97 words and phrases from the Matagalpa language can be found in the Daniel G. Brinton section of the American Philosophical Library in Philadelphia.

The Matagalpa made ceramics of a style known as "Ceramica Negra" and "Naranja Segovia", they also built stone statues representing their chieftain and warriors.

That quest has been recognized by historians and archaeologists, and there is a popular movement to declare the Cacaopera as National Heroes by the Congress of the Republic next month of September 2011.

Matagalpa was an existing indigenous town when the first Spaniards came to this region by 1528 during an attempt to find a water passage to the "Northern Sea", the Caribbean.

Matagalpa Department was also the birthplace of Rubén Darío, 1867-1916; Nazario Vega, Governor and builder of the Cathedral; Bartolomé Martínez, President of Nicaragua, 1923–24; Matias Baldizon Morales, 1820-1886, and Carlos Fonseca Amador, founder of the Sandinista Front in 1961.

Over the past few years Matagalpa has experienced a large influx of migrants (mainly peasants) from other departments, causing stress on infrastructure and the environment.

[citation needed] Matagalpa produces and exports beef, cheese, coffee, cacao, onions, tomatoes and mixed fruits and vegetables.

For local consumption it produces flowers, wood, corn, beans, fruits (oranges, grapefruits, bananas, plantains) and many kinds of vegetables such as broccoli, and cauliflower.

One of the most recognized eco-tourism sites is Selva Negra Wildlife Refuge, with over 120 hectares (300 acres) of land dedicated to the conservation of the area's diverse flora and fauna.