The department is named in honor of Nicaraguan President José Madriz. Nature surrounds it; the Coco River runs through its municipalities. It is a department with hills, rivers, waterfalls, natural viewpoints, and plateaus, most notably the Tepesomoto-La Patasta Nature Reserve and its canyon, formerly known as Namancambre.

It was declared a Geopark territory, and 5 of its municipalities are part of the Rio Coco Geopark project, which has geosites of significant relevance for research.

The artistic imprint of our ancestors is reflected in petroglyphs and cave paintings. These stone and wall drawings can be seen at the sites of Icalupe and Aguas Calientes, and are interesting for their extensive outdoor art display.

The department of Madriz, due to its geological formations, elevations, and climatic conditions, as well as its agrotourism farm initiatives, community-based rural tourism, and its main economic activities, identified two circuits.

1. • Dry Corridor due to the crops typical of the climate and farm activities are located in the lower part of the department.
   • A mountain corridor, due to its relief, elevation, climate, and location within a nature reserve, these initiatives are located in the upper part of the department.