Whose capital is the city of Tegucigalpa. Characteristic features of the capital of Honduras - the million-plus city of Tegucigalpa. Pedestrian street Peatonal. Calle Peatonal

Honduras is a state with a unique culture... But in our article we will talk about the capital, whose name is Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa in Spanish). The population (including suburbs) in 2006 was more than 1.6 million inhabitants, and Tegucigalpa is the third largest city in all of Central America (before it only Guatemala and San Salvador).

Geographical features of Tegucigalpa

Tegucigalpa is located at an altitude of about a thousand meters above sea level and is located in the central part of the state in the valley of a river called Choluteca, which conventionally divides the city into two parts (plain and mountainous). Thanks to this location, this city is famous for its clean air and mild climate, as it is constantly refreshed by winds from the mountains. Also, pine forests preserved on the mountain slopes have a beneficial effect on the environment.

City `s history

The city was founded in September 1578, however, it received its status as a capital only in 1880 (finally, since capitals had changed before that). It was built on the site of an Indian settlement. Originally called Tegucigalpa de Heredia.

Now the city is ceasing to be colonial, as it tends to expand chaotically. The main reason for this is economic, due to migrants coming to find high-paying jobs.

Tourist program

We already noted at the beginning that the most remarkable feature of the city is its clean air. The mountainous terrain allows you to view magnificent landscapes, and the water from the springs is the most delicious. In addition, there is a very unusual flora and fauna here. In addition to nature, you can look at the architecture of the city, which is famous for its many attractions.

In addition to colonial architecture, ancient Indian buildings are presented here. As for the locals, you will meet friendly people here. Here are the descendants of the conquistadors and the descendants of the Indians. If you are looking for beautiful and temperamental ladies or “scorching” men, then don’t hesitate and start packing your bags. All this and much more create the flavor of the city of Tegucigalpa, which is not enough to read about, since you need to see it with your own eyes.

Attractions:

The main attraction is the Iglesia de San Francisco, which has a rich history and is listed by UNESCO. Construction began back in 1592, and the main part of the modern church was built in 1740, so the cathedral represents the architecture of three centuries. The building's majestic appearance and Spanish-style interiors will inspire anyone. Perhaps this is the first thing worth visiting.

After such a church, you can go to the Cathedral of San Miguel, which was built over 20 years. It is located near Park Central (park area). This site is very popular among a large number of pilgrims. When you first visit and look at the cathedral, you will immediately notice the gilded altar and the amazing carved stone cross. It is these elements that attract tourists. They also serve as proof of the undeniable talents of the masters. In the northwestern part of the city is the domed church of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores. It was built back in 1732. The walls of the small church are decorated with images of biblical scenes. Going inside, you will see a unique altar, which, among other things, has miraculous properties, according to the locals.

The main government building is the National Congress complex, which is also considered a tourist attraction. Not far from it there is a national university, built in the likeness of a convent. The premises of the old Antigua Paraninfo-Universitaria (formerly a university) are now used as an art museum. In addition to it, the city has a whole complex of the National Art Gallery, which houses many works of art and creativity from Central America. The Historical Museum of the Republic is located next to the Presidential Palace.

If you are interested in the history of the state, then you can look into the Anthropology Museum. There is also a small library there. The museum is located in a mansion with the sonorous name “Villa Roy”.

You can look at the sculptures of the Mayan Indians in La Concordia Park, where exact copies of exhibitions exhibited in museums throughout the country are presented.

A popular place for walks, events and meetings is Morazan Square, which is one of the central squares in the city. In its very center there is a monument in honor of F. Morazan, a national hero, and on the eastern side you can see the Cathedral of San Miguel, or rather its white facade. The building was built in 1782.

And in order to relax or stock up on souvenirs, it is worth walking along Caye Peantonal Street, which will greet tourists with a variety of cafes, street benches and other shops. Its other name is Pedestrian Street. Because it is better to walk along it slowly, looking at the situation.

You can take a break from the bustle and hot day in the shady Herrera Park, where you will enjoy peace and comfort; on the south side there is the M. Boniya Theater, very similar to the Ateni-Comic. The theater was built relatively recently - in 1915.

Finally, we will give some brief tips for those who want to visit Tegucigalpa.

You can get to the city only through transfers and the most convenient option is to fly through, here you are given a choice: New York, Houston, Atlanta or Miami. And the planes of the companies will take you there:

  • American Airlines;
  • Continental Airlines;
  • Delta Airlines;
  • TACA;
  • Iberia (another option, but you will have to fly through Madrid (the capital of Spain), transfer to Miami).

The country's main airport with international connections is Toncontin. It was originally built as a military airfield in 1934, located six kilometers from the center of Tegucigalpa. The airport is on the list of the ten most dangerous airports on the planet, and because of this it is criticized for two reasons (it is located near a mountain range and has rather short runways). As a result, a difficult approach. Since the terrain is quite complex, as mentioned above, a turn is performed at a low altitude. To fly an airplane in such conditions, pilots undergo special training, so there is no need to worry or delay your trip because of this.

There is no organized (public) transport system in the city, but travel is still possible through urban transport, which accounts for about 70 percent of traffic. There are almost no state companies, mostly private ones are used. Still, you will always find something to get there, since the capital has a sufficient number of omnibuses and minibuses. In addition to this, of course, there are official and unofficial (unregistered) taxis.

Since there is no unified transportation system, sometimes problems arise related to movement and a huge number of vehicles. Difficult terrain also plays a role here - variable altitudes in the city center and narrow streets make movement difficult. And the number of cars in Tegucigalpa increases every year. I would like to note that due to the variety of transport (in particular taxis, which are not all official), you need to discuss the cost of the trip in advance.

In the local shops and hotels, prices do not reach sky-high levels, which undoubtedly pleases tourists, contributing to savings. If you want to go to the markets or the already described Caye Peantonal street, then you should definitely have small bills with you. This will make things easier for you and the merchants.

And, of course, for your own safety, you should not walk alone in the evening or at night along narrow and dark alleys, especially if this is your first time in the city.


Central America is famous for its magnificent cities, one of which is the capital of the Republic of Honduras.
The Chelutek River, on the banks of which it freely stretches, is a natural decoration of the city; around it are the picturesque slopes of Mount El Picacho.
In the 16th century, the conquistadors of Spain began the development of the city and gave it the name San Miguel de Tegucigalpa de Heredia.



This was the heyday of the mining of precious metals such as gold and silver. Subsequently, due to the fact that the mining of gold and silver became the central occupation of the local inhabitants, the city was given the name Tegucigalpa, which means Silver Mountain. Some legends say that the name of the city is given from the Indian dialect Tegustlikalipan - a place where rich people live.
At the end of the 18th century, it became the capital of the Republic of Honduras with a population of one and a half million. Today the capital of Honduras is a center of large industrial enterprises, a center of developed culture and a powerful economy.
The city is famous for its ancient museums and educational institutions; residents have especially warmly preserved for posterity unique monuments of colonial culture - houses of ancient Spanish architecture. Balconies decorated with ancient carvings and internal closed courtyards, where it is very cozy and beautiful, give such houses a special charm.


Along the entire slope of the mountain there are streets in the form of narrow staircases, which give the city a special flavor.
At the end of the 90s of the last century, the city of Tegucigalpa experienced a powerful hurricane that destroyed some of the buildings along the river and on the plain.
And despite the devastating consequences of natural disasters, the city has retained its original face and unique attractions. This is the central square of Francisco Morazan, and the ancient monument to the leader of the struggle for the country's independence, General Morsan, and the most beautiful church in the world, the Iglesia de San Francisco and the Cathedral of San Miguel. Against the backdrop of the city's attractions, the building of the Antigua Paraninfo-Universitaria University and the Presidential Palace, where the historical museum is located, stand out especially for their architectural designs.
City bazaars deserve special respect, since you can buy absolutely everything there, from exotic fruits to unique wickerwork and clay crafts.
The city honors the tradition of its ancestors, and therefore residents enjoy participating in traditional, annual colorful carnival processions. And on weekends and holidays, families relax in beautiful green parks and gardens.
The country's leadership has made sure that tourists from all over the world feel comfortable and convenient when traveling through their country.
For this purpose, the large international airport Toncontin provided its services. Hotels, cafes and nightclubs, museums and art galleries have hospitably opened their doors to tourists from all over the world.
A trip to the Republic of Honduras, to the capital Tegucigalpa, will leave an unforgettable mark on your soul if you choose this place as the center of your vacation.

First mention City with Center height Population Timezone Official site

To the north of Morazan Square are the old suburbs, which were once the area where wealthy emigrants lived. The hillsides of Cerro el Picacho are dotted with old buildings, reminiscent of the capital's colonial past. In the Parque de las Naciones Unidas stands the capital's youngest monument, the massive Cristo del Picacho Monument (1997), from the foot of which a breathtaking panorama of the city and surrounding area opens up. To the east of the center begins a respectable area called Colonia Palmyra, where most of the foreign embassies, luxury hotels and rich residences of the capital are concentrated. In the east of the capital is Morazan Boulevard, the entertainment center of Tegucigalpa. It is often also called La Zona Viva. The boulevard borders the country's main stadium - Estado Nacional.

The La Paz Monument, visible south of the stadium, was built to commemorate the end of the 1969 "football war" in which approximately two thousand people died. Noteworthy are the Museum of Military History in Valle Park - a private collection of objects from pre-Columbian cultures of America - Sala Bancatlán (open from 9.00 to 15.00) on Miraflores Boulevard, the Museum of Natural History in the complex of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) with an extensive exhibition of the various ecosystems of the country.

The main market of the capital, San Isidro, stretches between the 6th Avenida and Calle Uno from the Puente Carias river bridge.

Administration

The city administration consists of a mayor and five councilors from different political parties. A representative of the National Party of Honduras, Ricardo Alvarez, was elected mayor of the city.

Transport

Airport

Toncontin Airport

Toncontin International Airport serves as the main airport for arrivals and departures from Tegucigalpa. The origin of this name is unknown. This airport is often criticized for being one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. Because of its location next to a mountain range, its runway is too short, and its difficult approach that requires large commercial aircraft to make a tight hairpin turn to the left. Due to the terrain, the turn maneuver is performed at a low altitude. Efforts have been made for many years to replace Toncontin with Palmerola Airport in Comayagua, which is currently a US-Honduran Air Force base.

On May 30, 2008, a plane crash occurred at the airport in which a TACA plane skidded off the runway and crashed into an embankment, destroying several vehicles. The crash killed 5 people and injured 65 people. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced that within a few years all commercial flights will operate through Palmerola Airport.

Notable residents

  • Manuel de Adalid y Gamero - composer, conductor and teacher

Twin Cities

  • Madrid, Spain
  • Lima, Peru
  • Taipei, Taiwan
  • Bogota, Colombia
  • Belo Horizonte (port. Belo Horizonte), Brazil
  • New Orleans , United States of America
  • Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Guatemala, Guatemala
  • Kansas City , United States of America

Notes

Links

Tegucigalpa is the capital and largest city of Honduras. Population: 1,682,725 inhabitants. The third largest city in Central America (after Guatemala and San Salvador). The city is located among the mountains of the central part of the country, in the valley of the Choluteca River at an altitude of about 1000 m above sea level. Tegucigalpa is also the capital of the Department of Francisco Morazan. City coordinates: 14°05′39″ N. w. 87°12′24″ W d. Time zone: UTC-6.

Map of the city of Tegucigalpa

History of the city of Tegucigalpa


The city was founded on September 29, 1578 on the site of an Indian settlement. Translated from the Indian language, “Tegucigalpa” means “silver hills.” The city was originally called San Miguel de Tegucigalpa de Heredia. Tegucigalpa was proclaimed the capital of Honduras several times, but finally became it in 1880. The reason for this event was the desire of President Marco Aurelio Soto to be closer to his business.

In the 1930s, the city of Comayagüela was incorporated into the city. But until the 1960s, Tegucigalpa remained a small provincial town. Since the 1970s, the city of Tegucigalpa has grown at a rapid pace.

Tegucigalpa today


Tegucigalpa develops quite chaotically. The city's economy is growing due to migrants coming in search of work. The city has Toncontin International Airport, but it is worth noting that it is one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. The government is now trying to move all flights to Palmerola Airport.

Sights of Tegucigalpa


The main attraction of Tegucigalpa is the Iglesia de San Francisco church (1592). The Cathedral of San Miguel (1765-1782) is very beautiful, famous for its gilded altar and carved stone cross. The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores (1732) is believed to have miraculous properties.

Famous attractions include: the National Art Gallery complex; the National Congress complex and the Presidential Palace.

The most popular street in the city is Caye Peatonal, where the largest shops and cafes are located. Next to the street is Herrera Park, on the territory of which is the National Theater Manuel Bonilla (1915). Copies of Mayan sculptures can be seen in La Concordia Park.

The central square of the city is Plaza Morazan. Here is the Cathedral of San Miguel and the statue of Francisco Morazan.
You can delve into the country's colonial past by visiting Cerro el Picacho, a hill dotted with ancient buildings. It is customary to observe the panorama of the city at the foot of the Cristo del Picacho monument (1997), located in the Parque de las Naciones Unidas.

The La Paz Monument, built in 1969 to commemorate the end of the “football war”, deserves attention; Museum of Military History; Museum of Natural History.

The most common version of the name Tegucigalpa comes from the words Tegus-galpa of the Nahuatl Indian language, which means “silver hills”.

The Guatemalan researcher, Favio Rodoso, put forward the version of the origin of the name Tegucigalpa that Tegucigalpa means bird in the Nahuatl language. There were other hypotheses put forward by two Mexican experts, Ignacio Davila Garibi and Alfredo Barrera Vazquez, that the word Tegucigalpa comes from the Nualta Tecuztlicallipan, or “Residence of the Rich” or Tegutzincalpan or “Place of the House of Señor Amando.”

Words with the suffix -alpa exist in the Sumo language of the Misumalpa language family, which was widespread in Honduras before the arrival of the Aztecs.

None of the versions, except the official one, have yet received wide distribution.

Tegucigalpa was founded on September 29, 1578 on the site of an existing Indian settlement. The original name of the city was San Miguel de Tegucigalpa de Heredia. At that time it was a center of silver and gold mines. The first capital of Honduras was the port city of Trujillo. The capital was later moved to the city of Gracias in the western department of Lempira. Subsequently, the capital was again moved several times, either to Tegucigalpa or Camayagua. Tegucigalpa finally became the capital in 1880. One of the reasons for the final transfer of the capital to Tegucigalpa was the desire of then President Marco Aurelio Soto to be closer to his mining business, which was located 40 km from Tegucigalpa.

The city remained small and provincial until the 1960s. In the 1930s, the city of Comayagüela, on the other side of the Choluteca River, was incorporated into Tegucigalpa. The city is now booming, expanding beyond the colonial city and continuing to grow at a rapid but chaotic pace. Today, the city is also growing thanks to economic migrants who come to the capital from the provinces in search of work and a better future.

Geography

The capital of Honduras is conventionally divided by the Choluteca River into two halves - mountainous and flat. The plain refers to the part of the city located on the slopes of Mount El Picacho, and several areas on the Comayagua plateau.

The main feature of Tegucigalpa is its mild climate and fresh air. The city is constantly blown by mountain winds, and in addition, pine forests have been preserved on the slopes of nearby mountains, bringing coolness to the residents.

Hurricane Mitch

On October 22, 1998, the waters of the southwestern Caribbean Sea gave rise to a tropical depression, which a day later developed into a tropical hurricane, called Mitch. Gaining strength, Mitch rushed north and by October 26 its strength exceeded 12 points, generating continuous winds of up to 290 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 320. On October 30, 1998, as a result of this hurricane, the city of Tegucigalpa was badly damaged. Parts of the Comayagua area, as well as some other places along the Choluteca River, were destroyed. Rains and downpours accompanied the hurricane for 5 days, saturating the soil with water and leading to landslides throughout the country, but most of all in the capital along the Choluteca River.
Attractions

The main attraction of the city is the Iglesia de San Francisco church. Most of the modern church was erected in 1740, although the building itself began construction in 1592. It has a majestic appearance and interior in a traditional Spanish style.

In front of the Parque Central parkland stands the Cathedral of San Miguel, which took almost 20 years to build, from 1765 to 1782. It has a gilded altar and a carved stone cross, which are objects of pilgrimage for tourists.

The premises of the old University of Antigua Paraninfo-Universitaria are currently used as an art museum.

South of Parque Central, rises the National Art Gallery, or Paraninfo, complex with a collection of works of art from Central America.

The National University was originally built as a convent. Next to the National University is the National Congress complex, the main government building of the country. A block to the west is the Presidential Palace, which houses the Historical Museum of the Republic.

Particularly noteworthy is Caye Peatonal or Pedestrian Street, filled with shops, cafes and street stalls. To the west lies the cozy and shady Parque Herrera, on the south side of which is the Manuel Bonilla National Theater complex, built in 1915 and an almost exact copy of the Parisian Athény-Comique building.

Parque La Concordia displays replicas of Mayan sculptures from the Copan culture, kept in museums across the country. In the northwest you can find the small domed church of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Los Dolores, built in 1732. Its facade is decorated with biblical scenes, and inside there is a unique altar, which, according to some residents, has miraculous properties. Two blocks west of Los Dolores is the Villa Roy mansion, home of President Julio Lozano Díaz, which now houses the National Museum of Anthropology and History with an extensive exhibition on the country's history and a small library.

Plaza Morazan is also considered one of the central parts of the city and is used as a popular meeting place and venue for social events. The statue in the center of the square honors the national hero Francisco Morazan. The National Library is located in his home today. At the eastern edge of the square stands the snow-white façade of the Cathedral of San Miguel, built in 1782.

To the north of Morazan Square are the old suburbs, which were once the area where wealthy emigrants lived. The hillsides of Cerro el Picacho are dotted with old buildings, reminiscent of the capital's colonial past. In the Parque de las Naciones Unidas stands the capital's youngest monument, the massive Cristo del Picacho Monument (1997), from the foot of which a breathtaking panorama of the city and surrounding area opens up. To the east of the center begins a respectable area called Colonia Palmyra, where most of the foreign embassies, luxury hotels and rich residences of the capital are concentrated. In the east of the capital is Morazan Boulevard, the entertainment center of Tegucigalpa. It is often also called La Zona Viva. The boulevard borders the country's main stadium - Estado Nacional.

The La Paz Monument, visible south of the stadium, was built to commemorate the end of the “football war” of 1969, in which about two thousand people died. Noteworthy are the Museum of Military History in Valle Park - a private collection of objects from pre-Columbian cultures of America - Sala Bancatlán (open from 9.00 to 15.00) on Miraflores Boulevard, the Museum of Natural History in the complex of the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) with an extensive exhibition of the various ecosystems of the country.

The main market of the capital, San Isidro, stretches between the 6th Avenida and Calle Uno from the Puente Carias river bridge.

Administration

The city administration consists of a mayor and five councilors from different political parties. A representative of the National Party of Honduras, Ricardo Alvarez, was elected mayor of the city.

Airport
Toncontin International Airport serves as the main airport for arrivals and departures from Tegucigalpa. The origin of this name is unknown. This airport is often criticized for being one of the ten most dangerous airports in the world. Because of its location next to a mountain range, its runway is too short, and its difficult approach that requires large commercial aircraft to make a tight hairpin turn to the left. Due to the terrain, the turn maneuver is performed at a low altitude. For years, efforts have been made to replace Toncontin with Palmerola Airport in Comayagua, which is now a US Air Force and Honduran air base.

On May 30, 2008, a plane crash occurred at the airport in which a TACA plane skidded off the runway and crashed into an embankment, destroying several vehicles. The crash killed 5 people and injured 65 people. Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced that within a few years all commercial flights will operate through Palmerola Airport.