Tegucigalpa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tegucigalpa
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| Tegucigalpa, Municipio del Distrito Central | |||
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Tegucigalpa at night
Basilica de Suyapa
View of the city from the mountains
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| Nickname(s):
Tegus, Tepaz, Cerro de Plata (Silver Mountain)
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Location of the Central District within the Department of Francisco Morazán
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 Tegucigalpa
Location in Honduras
Tegucigalpa
Location in North America
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| Country | Honduras | ||
| Department | Francisco Morazán | ||
| Municipality | Central District | ||
| Founded | 29 September 1578 | ||
| Capital | 30 October 1880 | ||
| Merged as Central District | Template:Start date and age and age | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-Council | ||
| • Body | Municipal Corporation | ||
| Area | |||
| • Capital city | 1,502 km2 (580 sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 201.5 km2 (77.8 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 990 m (3,250 ft) | ||
| Population
(2023 projection)
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| • Capital city | 1,326,460 | ||
| • Density | 883.13/km2 (2,287.3/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 1,199,136 | ||
| Demonym(s) | Spanish: tegucigalpense, comayagüelense, capitalino(a) | ||
| GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values) | |||
| • Year | 2023 | ||
| • Total | $10.5 billion | ||
| • Per capita | $6,700 | ||
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central America) | ||
| Postal code |
Tegucigalpa: 11101, Comayagüela: 12101
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| Area code(s) | (country) +504 (city) 2 | ||
| Annual budget (2008) | 1.555 billion lempiras (US$82,190,000) | ||
| Website | Government of Tegucigalpa | ||
Tegucigalpa (pronounced Teh-goo-see-GAL-pah) is the capital and largest city of Honduras. It is often called Tegus for short. It is located in the central highland region of Honduras, in the Francisco Morazán area. Tegucigalpa is a "sister city" with Comayagüela, and they are separated by the Choluteca River. Together, they form the Central District, which is the permanent national capital of Honduras.
Tegucigalpa was founded by Spanish settlers on September 29, 1578. It officially became the capital of Honduras on October 30, 1880. The city is a very important center for politics, business, and education in Honduras. Many foreign embassies and important national companies are located here. It is also home to the country's main public university and the national soccer team.
Contents
- What Does the Name Tegucigalpa Mean?
- A Brief History of Tegucigalpa
- Where is Tegucigalpa Located?
- Tegucigalpa's Climate
- Exploring the City
- How Many People Live in Tegucigalpa?
- Tegucigalpa's Economy
- Education in Tegucigalpa
- Sports in the City
- Getting Around Tegucigalpa
- Sister Cities Around the World
- Images for kids
- See also
What Does the Name Tegucigalpa Mean?
Most people believe the name Tegucigalpa comes from the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by some native groups. The most common idea is that it means "hills of silver." However, this is not certain because the native people living there at the time did not know about silver in the area.
Another idea is that Tegucigalpa means "painted rocks." Some also think it might come from words related to a small green parrot or a type of Mexican dance. A Honduran expert, Alberto de Jesús Membreño, suggested it means "in the homes of the sharp stones."
A Brief History of Tegucigalpa
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Tegucigalpa was founded by Spanish settlers on September 29, 1578. It was built on the site of an older native village. Some of the first important buildings, like the Dolores Church and the San Miguel Cathedral, were built in the 1700s.
In 1817, the first bridge connecting Tegucigalpa with Comayagüela across the Choluteca River was started. It took four years to build. In 1821, Tegucigalpa officially became a city. For many years, Tegucigalpa and Comayagua took turns being the capital of Honduras. But on October 30, 1880, Tegucigalpa was declared the permanent capital.
By 1898, it was decided that Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela, being close neighbors, would form the capital together. They kept their separate names and local governments.
From the 1930s to the 1960s, Tegucigalpa grew a lot. Its population reached over 250,000 people. New neighborhoods and the national university were built. The city continued to grow rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s, but this growth was often unplanned. This led to some areas becoming very crowded and disorganized.
Hurricane Mitch's Impact
In October 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused huge damage to Tegucigalpa and the rest of Honduras. For five days, the hurricane brought heavy rain, leading to terrible landslides and floods. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and many lives were lost.
The Choluteca River overflowed its banks, wiping out neighborhoods and bridges. Landslides near El Berrinche Hill also caused a lot of destruction. Even many years later, you could still see signs of the damage from Hurricane Mitch, especially along the Choluteca River.
Today, Tegucigalpa continues to expand. The city government is working on projects to modernize the capital and improve life for its residents.
Where is Tegucigalpa Located?
Tegucigalpa is built on a chain of mountains. Its lowest parts are about 975 meters (3,199 feet) high, and its highest areas reach 1,463 meters (4,800 feet). The area around the city used to be mostly open woodland with pine and oak trees.
The city's main river, the Choluteca River, flows through it from south to north. This river physically separates Tegucigalpa from its sister city, Comayagüela. El Picacho Hill, a rugged mountain, stands above the downtown area.
Because it is in a valley surrounded by mountains, pollution can get trapped in the city. During the dry season, a thick cloud of smog can hang over the city until the rains come.
Flooding Concerns
Being in a valley and split by a river, Tegucigalpa often experiences flooding during the rainy season. This was seen clearly during Hurricane Mitch. The city does not have a very good system to control floods, like deep canals or high walls along the river. This means the river can easily overflow. More than 100 neighborhoods are considered "high-risk zones" for flooding.
The city gets its water from reservoirs like Embalse Los Laureles.
Tegucigalpa's Climate
Tegucigalpa has a tropical savanna climate. This means it's usually warm, but the high elevation makes it milder and less humid than coastal areas. The average temperature is between 19°C (66°F) and 23°C (73°F).
The coolest months are December and January, with average low temperatures around 14°C (57°F). March and April are the hottest, with temperatures sometimes reaching up to 40°C (104°F).
The city has two main seasons:
- Dry season: From November to April.
- Rainy season: From May to October. June and September are usually the wettest months.
Exploring the City
Tegucigalpa is a hilly city with few flat areas. It has grown very quickly, and only recently have there been more rules for city planning. The roads can be narrow, and even the main avenues often have only two or three lanes, leading to heavy traffic.
Neighborhoods and Areas
The Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela area is divided into many barrios (older inner-city neighborhoods) and colonias (newer residential areas). There are 892 of them!
To make it easier to understand, the city can be split into two main parts: Tegucigalpa and Comayagüela, separated by the Choluteca River.
The Tegucigalpa side has five main sections:
- Historic Downtown (Centro Histórico): This is where the city first started. It has old buildings, government offices, museums, parks, and churches. Efforts are being made to restore its historic charm.
- Contemporary Downtown (Centro Contemporáneo or Zona Viva): This is the modern and lively part of Tegucigalpa. It has many well-developed neighborhoods, including wealthy residential areas and places with foreign embassies, hotels, and corporate buildings. Important streets like Boulevard Morazán and Boulevard Suyapa are here, full of businesses and financial institutions.
- North Tegucigalpa: This area includes neighborhoods on the hills north of the historic downtown. The United Nations National Park on El Picacho Hill is a popular spot here. Further north, you find upscale suburban areas surrounded by lots of trees.
- South Tegucigalpa: This area is south of Armed Forces Blvd. It includes Colonia Kennedy, the city's largest neighborhood. Both middle-class and poorer neighborhoods are found here. Some universities are also located in this area.
- East Tegucigalpa: This part mostly has rural and poorer neighborhoods, which have grown without much planning. The María Pediatric Hospital and the Basílica of Suyapa are in this area.
Comayagüela: The Sister City
Comayagüela is on the west side of the Choluteca River. Historically, it has been less developed than Tegucigalpa, with more lower-income neighborhoods. However, it has seen some growth recently, with new shopping malls opening.
The Comayagüela side can be divided into four sections:
- Downtown Comayagüela (Zona Centro): This is the oldest part of Comayagüela, with a grid-like street plan. Many government offices are here, as well as the National School of Fine Arts.
- North Comayagüela: This area has newer middle-class neighborhoods that developed after Hurricane Mitch, like Colonia Cerro Grande.
- South Comayagüela: This is generally the more well-off part of Comayagüela. It's located around the airport and Los Laureles Reservoir. It has growing upper-income communities and new suburban developments. Toncontín International Airport and major malls like Metro Mall are in this area.
- West Comayagüela: This area mainly consists of poorer neighborhoods that have grown without much planning.
How Many People Live in Tegucigalpa?
In 2013, the population of the Central District was about 1,157,509 people. The city's population is expected to double by 2029.
Most people in Tegucigalpa are mestizos (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry). There are also smaller groups of white people, Chinese, and Arab immigrants (mostly from Palestine). You can also find Amerindians and Afro-Honduran people.
Religion in the City
Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Tegucigalpa, just like in the rest of Honduras. However, the number of Protestants has grown a lot in recent years. Many different religious groups have come to Tegucigalpa over time, including Quakers, Baptists, and various Pentecostal churches. Today, there are also Jewish communities, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which opened a temple in the city in 2013.
Tegucigalpa's Economy
The Central District's economy makes up about 19.3 percent of Honduras's total economy. The city has many businesses, more than any other city in the country.
The main economic activities in Tegucigalpa are:
- Commerce: Buying and selling goods, car repair, household items.
- Manufacturing: Making things like textiles, clothing, sugar, and cigarettes.
- Services: Hotels, restaurants, banking, and social services.
Factories that assemble products (called maquiladoras) are also important. These plants have been set up in an industrial park north of the city. Metals like silver, lead, and zinc are still mined near the city.
Banking and Business
Many Honduran banks have their main offices in Tegucigalpa. Several international banks and financial organizations, like the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, also have offices here.
Foreign companies, especially American ones, have many popular stores, restaurants, and hotels in Tegucigalpa, such as Walmart and McDonald's. Companies from other countries, like Mexico, have also opened businesses here.
Education in Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa is a major center for education in Honduras. It has most of the country's universities and higher education institutions. The city has many public and private schools.
There are 1,235 public schools in the Central District, including preschools, elementary schools, and middle/high schools. Many students are enrolled in these schools. The ability to read and write (literacy rate) in Tegucigalpa is high, at 80%.
Private Schools
Tegucigalpa has about 147 bilingual schools. Some of the well-known private schools include The American School of Tegucigalpa, Discovery School, and DelCampo International School. These schools are often recognized by American education groups, and many of their students go on to study abroad.
Universities
Tegucigalpa is home to 12 universities, including three public ones.
- The National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) is the country's most important university. It was founded in 1847 and has campuses in several other cities.
- The Francisco Morazán National Pedagogic University (UPNFM) focuses on training future teachers.
- The National Institute of Professional Formation (INFOP) focuses on skills for jobs and development.
There are also 10 private universities in Tegucigalpa, offering a wide range of studies. Some examples include the Central American Technological University (UNITEC) and the Catholic University of Honduras (UNICAH).
Sports in the City
Tegucigalpa is home to several sports teams, especially in football (soccer).
- C.D. Dinamo Español
- C.D. Olimpia
- F.C. Motagua
The city has large stadiums like the Chelato Uclés Football Stadium and the Chochi Sosa Baseball Stadium.
Getting Around Tegucigalpa
You can reach all parts of Tegucigalpa by car, though some streets are narrow, unpaved, or very hilly. The city has a network of main avenues and boulevards. However, heavy traffic is common because of the city's geography and unplanned growth. About 400,000 vehicles use the city's roads every day. Older parts of the city were not built for so many cars.
Newer areas, like shopping malls, have large parking lots. In recent years, some main roads have been improved with overpasses and underpasses to help traffic flow better.
Main Roads and Highways
Honduras has different types of highways: international, national, and provincial. International highways are part of a network that connects Honduras with its neighboring countries in Central America.
The Anillo Periférico (beltway or ring road) and Boulevard Fuerzas Armadas are the city's main expressways. They connect to other important boulevards like Central America Blvd and Suyapa Blvd.
Public Transportation
Public transportation in Tegucigalpa mainly uses buses and taxis. Buses have routes named after the neighborhoods they connect, like "Centro-UNAH." Taxis are a quick way to get around.
The public transportation system can be disorganized, with many buses competing for passengers. This can cause traffic jams. The government is working on a new bus rapid transit system to improve public transport.
Air Travel
Toncontín International Airport (TGU) used to be the main airport for Tegucigalpa. It was known for being a challenging airport for pilots due to its location near mountains and a short runway.
However, a new airport, Comayagua International Airport, opened on October 15, 2021. All international flights are now expected to move there, leaving Toncontín for domestic flights only.
Sister Cities Around the World
Tegucigalpa has "sister city" relationships with several cities around the world. This means they share cultural and educational ties.
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Images for kids
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The metropolitan area at night
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Casa Casco, one of the many buildings that were built during the 1930s
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Looking northeast from Comayagüela at the construction site of the upcoming shopping mall City Mall
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Nissan car dealership on Central America Blvd, across the street from Plaza Miraflores Mall
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Tegucigalpa is one of the cities with the biggest economic growth in Central America and the Caribbean.
See also
In Spanish: Tegucigalpa para niños
