Honduras, formally the Republic of Honduras (Republica de Honduras in Spanish), is a nation in Central America that borders Nicaragua to the south and east and Guatemala and El Salvador to the west. The country is spread over an area of 43,278 square miles.
A rough estimate puts its population at 8.249 million. 36.8% of the population is under the age of 15, 58.9% is between the ages of 15 and 65, and 4.3% is over the age of 65. Honduran cities are home to a large portion of the country’s population, which is dispersed throughout the country.
Stick to the end of the article to learn more about the different cities of Honduras.
1. About Honduras
The Pacific Ocean washes its narrow southern coast, while the Caribbean Sea washes its northern coast.
Its territory includes The Bay Islands department of the offshore Caribbean. Although San Pedro Sula has only half as many people as Tegucigalpa in terms of population, it is just as important in terms of industry and commerce. This is unlike most other Central American nations.
Only along the coasts and in a few river valleys do you find lowlands in Honduras, where more than three-fourths of the country’s land area is mountainous. The interior resembles a split upland with a lot of tiny peaks. The primary surface features are oriented generally east-west. The Gulf of Fonseca is bordered in the south by a small alluvial plain.
The mountains in the southwest, known as the Volcanic Highlands, are made up of alternating layers of rock made of lava flows and dark, volcanic detritus that are both middle to early Cenozoic in age. Other regions’ northern mountains are older, with a predominance of granite and crystalline rocks.
Western Honduras’ Nueva Ocotepeque, sometimes known as Octotepeque, is a town. At 2,641 feet (805 meters) above sea level, it is situated across the Lempa River.
The village was moved from its original location near Ocotepeque in the northeast after the Marchala River, a tributary of the Lempa, was inundated in 1935. In a prosperous agricultural region, there is a commerce hub called Nueva Ocotepeque.
The majority religion in Honduras is Roman Catholicism, with almost two-thirds of the people identifying as followers. Spanish is the common language of the country. Protestants make up the majority of the remaining groups, and they have significant congregations in the east and on the Bay Islands. Protestant churches have grown quickly, particularly after the disruption brought about by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
Early in the 20th century, there was a noticeable migration of people from the interior to the hot, humid northern shore, where the United Fruit Company offered employment opportunities.
The highlands in the west and south, along with these northwest lowlands, are where the majority of the country’s population is concentrated. Population growth was extremely rapid during the middle of the 20th century, creating a significant employment problem.
The nation’s natural resources include vast pine forests, agricultural regions along the northern coast and in the interior river basins, and minor silver, lead, zinc, and low-grade iron ore reserves.
The highlands, where subsistence farming, animal raising, and mining have long predominated, and the lowlands, where plantation agriculture based primarily on bananas is the main occupation, are geographically separated by the economy.
The president, who serves as the head of state and the executive branch of government, is chosen directly by the people for a four-year term that is not renewable. The 128 members of the single-house National Congress are chosen for four-year periods.
The National Party (Partido Nacional) and the Liberal Party of Honduras (Partido Liberal de Honduras) are the two most important political parties in the country. Voting is open to citizens who are 18 years of age and above.
Honduras has 18 departments that are used for municipal administration. To implement decisions made by the federal government, the president appoints governors, one for each department.
The departments are divided into municipals, which are then divided into “aldeas, ” villages or hamlets. Caseros (settlements), which are divisions of aldeas, are used to categorize rural regions. Localities can elect a mayor, a council, and a representative.
The president appoints the justices of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has original and exclusive authority to declare legislative acts illegal and has centralized control over the lesser courts, including the nomination of justices.
2. A Little about the Cities of Honduras
2.1. Largest Cities
Some of the largest cities in Honduras include Tegucigalpa, San Pedro sul, Choloma, La Ceiba, El Progreso, Choluteca, Comayagua, Roatan, Puerto Cortes, La Lima, Danli, Siguatepeque, Juticalpa, Catacamas and Villanueva.
2.2. Smaller Cities
The smaller cities include Tocoa, Tela, Santa Rosa De Copan, Olanchito, San Lorenzo, Cofradia, El Paraiso, La Paz, Yoro, El Porvenir, Santa Barbara, La Entrada, Nacaome, Intibuca, Talanga, Guaimaca, Santa Rita, Sonaguera, Morazan and Santa Cruz de Yojoa.
3. List of Cities of Honduras
3.1. Tegucigalpa
Tegucigalpa is the most populous and largest city in Honduras, with a population of 1,126,534 people. Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras and the Francisco Morazán department. Tegucigalpa is located on one side of the Choluteca River in the southern highlands. The opposite bank of the river is home to its sister city, Comayaguela.
Due to the city’s political significance, there are 25 foreign embassies and 16 consulates located there. The National Autonomous University of Honduras and the state-owned energy and telecommunications companies are both based in the city.
The economy of this well-known city generates 19.3% of the GDP in Honduras. Manufacturing (16.13%), hotel (14.43%), banking and real estate (10.12%), social and personal services (8.94%), health services (3.9%), and others (3.6%) all make up the economy. Commerce accounts for 42.86 percent of the total. 73.2% of Tegucigalpa’s firms are micro-enterprises, whereas only 1% are major corporations.
3.2. San Pedro Sula
The second most populous and well-known city in Honduras is San Pedro Sula, which has a population of 638,259 people. The total population of this metropolitan region is 1.44 million.
The city is the departmental capital of the Cortés Department. It is situated in the Sula Valley in the country’s northwest, just 62 miles south of the Caribbean Sea.
The Interoceanic Railroad was built as a result of the banana production business, which also fueled the city of San Pedro Sula’s rapid rise. The railway connects this city to the coastal Puerto Cortés.
3.3. Choloma
With 222,828 inhabitants, Choloma ranks as one of Honduras’ third-most populous large cities. In the Cortés Department, Choloma is about halfway between San Pedro Sula and Puerto Cortés. This city is situated on the banks of the Balaliam River, which is also occasionally referred to as the Choloma River.
The location of an indigenous settlement once stood here. Although it was established in 1804, Choloma was not given the city title until sometime after 1933. Choloma has developed into a key manufacturing center as a result of its proximity to San Pedro Sula, the railway, and the port city.
3.4. Comayagua
Comayagua, a city on the highway connecting Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, is renowned for its variety of Spanish colonial buildings. The city, which is the former capital of Honduras, is located at an altitude of 594 meters above sea level.
The city was significant for politics and religion until it lost its status as the capital in 1880. It is regarded as one of the must-see cities in Honduras.
The central square is a lovely church, and the work in the Neoclassical-style city hall from the 16th century is particularly magnificent. It has the oldest clock in America. The city is firmly rooted in catholic traditions and is a wonderful location to see Easter celebrations.
3.5. Copan
The capital of government for the Copan department, which is in western Honduras. Many people believe it to be the safest city in Honduras, with a good amount of population. This is an excellent entryway to the Lenca Route and the country’s coffee capital.
There are many different things to see and do in this significant Honduran city. Santa Rosa de Copan has a fantastic and entertaining nightlife. It is one among the various cities in Honduras that is very safe, making it a great place to go with family, especially young children and senior citizens.
3.6. Gracias
In Western Honduras, there is a wonderful and undiscovered place called Gracias. This important Honduran city has developed into a wonderful destination. It merits inclusion on this list of the most picturesque cities in Honduras.
There are several different hotels and resorts to choose from in Gracias. This wonderful city provides a rare glimpse into rural, unhurried places in Honduras.
There you go, a list of some of the major cities of Honduras. If you are planning to visit Honduras, these cities should definitely be on your itinerary.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
