The map shows a map of the southern part of Nicaragua. The stamp was issued in 1897. The proposed route for the interoceanic canal can be plotted on the map. Beginning on the left side of the map about half way up the narrow land arm between the Ocean and Lake Nicaragua a canal would be cut. Once in Lake Nicaragua ships would sail across the south end of the lake to the San Juan River and then down the River to the Caribbean. An early version of the coat of arms of Nicaragua appears in the upper left corner. The 5 mountains are volcanoes and represent the 5 Central American countries. A Phrygian cap symbolizing freedom surmounts a cross.
     The set of stamps was issued four times in 1896 and 1897. They differ in the type of paper, and in watermark.

     This stamp was issued in 1961 to commemorate the centenary of the birth of Rigoberto Cabezas, a journalist, who made possible the acquisition of the Mosquita by Nicaragua in 1896.