A process for producing nitric acid is disclosed in which a gaseous oxidizer feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidizing gas is exposed to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidized to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapor. The reaction mixture is then cooled in a heat exchanger whereby: a) the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized and the water vapor is caused to condense, b) the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water, and c) substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture is converted to nitric acid. Also disclosed is a nitric acid solution when produced by the disclosed process.