La Esperanza, Intibucá

La Esperanza is the city with the highest elevation in Honduras. Therefore the climate is mountainous, not the like tropical heat of the lowlands. It might not be what you expect when you think about Central America unless you are familiar with the highlands of Guatemala. There is a large indigenous population in La Esperanza and the surrounding villages, the Lenca people. La Esperanza and Intibucá (the name of our "department" or state and a city) are twin cities, joined in an almost undistinguishable way. We have, therefore, two town halls with two mayors, two public outdoor markets, two churches, etc.

While La Esperanza is not a large city, there are three medium-sized supermarkets and many small grocery stores as well as the two large outdoor markets for fresh fruits and vegetables, most of which are locally grown. We have a hospital, a public health center and several private clinics and pharmacies. A few times a year U.S. medical brigades come through for a week at a time. Long distance foreign telephone service is reasonably good and internet communication is fairly regular, except for power outages during the stormy season. Internet communication is available at several Internet cafes and there is an Internet-linked telephone service through which phone calls can be made at a much lower rate.

History

The area began to be populated in the beginning of the 19th century. It was given the title "Villa" on September 22nd of 1848. In 1883, it became a city. It was an outlaying area of the departament of Gracias, handed over to Intibucá in 1883 upon the creation of this department. The city of La Esperanza is also called the "City of Gardens." Its patron holiday is from November 29th until December 8th, Virgin of the Conception.

Geography

The capital of one of these Municipalities is the city of La Esperanza. It is bounded to the north by thel Municipality of Intibucá (whose own capital is its twin city), to the south by the Municipality of San Marcos de Sierra, to the east by the Municipality of Marcala La Paz and to the west by the Municipality of Yamaranguila. It has five counties, 1,060 Homes, and its area is approximatley 138.8 Km2 . The main counties are: Chogola, El Pelón, La Pimienta, Nueva Esperanza.

Population

Its population is estimated to be 16,698 inhabitants.

Basic Statistics of Human Development

Life Expectancy is 69.20 years

Years of Schooling 5.05

PIB Per capita PPA 2,445.13

Rate of Malnutrition 49.71%

Rate of Literacy 80.70%

Index of Human Development is below 0.600