Masaya (Spanish pronunciation: ) is the capital city of Masaya department in Nicaragua. It is situated approximately 14 km west of Granada and 31 km southeast from Managua. The town of Masaya is just east of Masaya Volcano (VolcÃ¡n de Masaya), an active volcano from which the city takes its name. With an estimated population of 140,000 (2005), it is Nicaragua's third most populous city, and it is culturally known [clarification needed] as the City of Flowers.