Tegucigalpa

Tegucigalpa on the map of Honduras

Tegucigalpa is the capital of Honduras, with about 870,000 inhabitants, the largest city in the country. It is also the capital of the district Francisco Morazán.

It is located in the southern part of Honduras in a high basin on the banks of the river Río Choluteca at around 940 meters above sea level.

• 8.1 hospitals

Origin of the name

The generality of the inhabitants Tegucigalpa firmly believes that the name of their city stemming from the Mayan Nahuatl name Taguz Galpan, which means as much as Silberberg. This interpretation is used by most Hondurans and official institutions as the name origin. Some scholars believe that the city got its name by established Spanish conquerors. This took place in the hilly surroundings Tegucigalpa rich silver ore. Another theory is that the name comes from the name " Tecuztli calli - Pan", which used the Maya - Nahuatl. This phrase can be translated figuratively as "a place where nobles have their horses ".

Boroughs

Tegucigalpa is divided into so-called " Barrios " and " Colonias ". In the latter, the new middle class of the country is represented, while the poor segment of the population is settled in the 'barrios', which are in the old city center. The largest part of the outskirts is a so-called " marginal barrios ", a slum and is thus inhabited by the poorest of the poor. The difference between social classes in Honduras is mostly evident in Tegucigalpa.

Both the " barrios " and the " Colonias " have no certain limits and no city centers. There are some avenues, however, none of which extended into the city center. As in most Central American cities, the naming does not seem to be very structured, which makes orientation quite difficult and a first-time visitors to the city during car trips before special challenges.

In Colonia Palmira, a very wealthy city district east of the city center on Boulevard Morazán, is home to most embassies and some very exclusive restaurants. The colonies Lomas del Guijarro, Loma Linda and Miramontes are also very exclusive residential areas. As a colony living quarters are called, which are only accessible to the residents and are guarded by armed security personnel. The main hotels in the city are also located in this district: So here are the Marriott Hotel, Noisy Hotel, Hotel El Centenario Intercontinental, Maya de Honduras Plaza Del Libertador, Plaza San Martín, Alameda, Excelsior Hotel and Casino.

History

Even before the emergence of the first Spaniards mid-16th century the area around Tegucigalpa was settled, and the city also has been wearing its current name. Nevertheless, September 29, 1578 is considered the official founding day. At the time of the conquest by the Europeans, the people of Lenka lived in the area. Their language is now extinct, and it is only known very little about their culture.

After the Spaniards found in Tegucigalpa silver, the theory arose that the indigenous name could mean the city "Silver Mountain". However, this is unlikely since the Lenka even taking down no silver. Other theories suggest that the name " place where people meet " or " colored stones " could mean.

In the 19th century mingled with the indigenous and European populations, two other ethnic groups: Arabs and Chinese. These two population groups are still present in the city.

The two universities of Honduras was established in 1847 and 1978.

Lange Tegucigalpa and Comayagua alternated as capital of the independent Honduras. Only since October 30, 1880 Tegucigalpa is definitely the capital of the Republic of Honduras and is also the capital of the province of Francisco Morazán.

In 1930 the city was Comayaguela, which lies on the other side of the Choluteca River, incorporated. In force since 1982 constitution Comayaguela is still mentioned together with the capital Tegucigalpa.

Attractions

In Tegucigalpa, there are several tourist attractions:

• The La Leona Park ( Parque La Leona )
• The St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral (San Miguel Arcangel ) of the Archdiocese of Tegucigalpa
• Villaroy Museum ( Royal Villa )
• The former Presidential Palace (now a museum )
• The museum of national identity
• The National University
• Basilica of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Suyapa
• Tigra National Park
• The Picacho Hill and its zoo
• Chiminikee ( a science park and museum for children).

In the city center, some old churches are located ( Cathedral of St. Michael, La Merced, Los Dolores Church). The church of San Francisco is the oldest building in town, and probably comes from 1590th

The park La Leona offers a beautiful view of the old town. In Calle Mendiete is the birthplace of Francisco Morazán, a Honduran national hero who was 1830-1840 President of Central America. He fought for free elections and public education before he was shot dead in 1842.

The National Museum houses a collection of pre-Columbian Royal Villa and exhibits among others some vintage cars that were previously used by Honduran dictators.

Museums

There are a number of museums that deal with the history of Honduras and with art, among other things: the Museo Nacional Identidad, Museo Nacional Villaroy, Museo del Hombre, Museo Histórico Militar, Museo Historia Natural and Galeria de Arte Nacional. In addition, the Centro Cultural de España en Tegucigalpa - CCET or the Sala Bancatlan ( Banco Atlantida ), which occasionally shows art exhibitions.

Shopping centers

In Tegucigalpa, there is the Multi Plaza, an applied multi-level shopping center, which includes a grocery store, a movie theater complex, restaurants, banking and of course, many retail stores. Newer shopping malls are the Las Cascadas and MetroMall with a large movie theater complex.

Smaller shopping centers can be found throughout the city, including in Los Castaño, El Dorado and the new Los Proceres center.

Population

Tegucigalpa has approximately 1.25 million inhabitants, according to an estimate from the year 2005. The townspeople are primarily Spanish-speaking mestizos with a small minority of Latin American residents. In addition, there is a minority of Chinese and Arabs, the latter mostly from Palestine, as well as Indigenous and Afro- Honduran population.

Industry

In the 16th century Tegucigalpa was an important place for the gold and silver mining. Today, the textile, sugar and tobacco industry are predominant.

Infrastructure

Tegucigalpa is one of the few capital cities in the world without railways.

The city's airport, Toncontín, because its position as one of the most dangerous airports in the world. The airport is very close to town and has a very short take-off and landing strip, which makes the approach very difficult. Larger aircraft are therefore forced to close and left-sided so-called hairpin, which has to be flown at very low altitude. Due to these challenges, for example, American Airlines pilots receive additional, specially tailored to Toncontin training sessions.

Health service

Hospitals

• Hospital and Clinic Viera
• Hospital and Clinic San Jorge
• Hospital Centro Medica
• Private children's hospital
• Hospital Cardiopulmunar Alameda
• Centro Oftalmologico Santa Lucía
• Centro de Maternidad y Diagnóstico
• Honduras Medical Center
• Hospital La Policlínica
• Centro Médico Hondueño
• Hondureño Instituto de Seguridad Social IHSS
• University Hospital " Hospital Escuela "

Sons and daughters of the town

• Horacio Castellanos Moya ( born 1957 ), Salvadoran writer and journalist
• Amado Guevara (born 1976 ), Honduran football player
• Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga ( b. 1942 ), Archbishop of Tegucigalpa and Cardinal
• José Francisco Morazán Quezada (1792-1842), President of Central American

Twinning

• China Republic Taipei, Taiwan
• Spain Madrid, Spain
• Peru Lima, Peru
• Colombia Bogotá, Colombia
• Brazil Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• United States New Orleans, United States
• United States Gainesville, USA
• Mexico Guadalajara, Mexico
• Guatemala Guatemala City, Guatemala
• Jordan Amman, Jordan