Boaco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Boaco
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Municipality
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View of Boaco at night
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 Boaco
Location in Nicaragua
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| Country |  Nicaragua |
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| Department | Boaco Department | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality | 1,087 km2 (420 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2022 estimate)
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| • Municipality | 63,422 | ||
| • Density | 58.346/km2 (151.12/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 26,209 | ||
Boaco is a city in Nicaragua. It is the capital of the Boaco Department. About 63,422 people live in the whole area (2022 estimate). The city itself has about 26,209 residents.
Boaco is located in the mountains. It is about 88 kilometers (55 miles) east of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. People sometimes call Boaco "Ciudad de Dos Pisos," which means "The Two-Storey City." This is because the city is built on hills. Only two places in the city are flat: the main park and the baseball field.
Contents
Discover Boaco's Past
The name Boaco comes from old native languages. Boa or Boaj means "Enchanters." The ending O means "place" or "town." So, Boaco means "Place of the Enchanters."
How Boaco Began
The first Boaco, called Boaco Viejo (Old Boaco), was about 15 miles east of where the city is now. Spanish settlers from Guatemala founded it. In 1749, some native groups attacked Boaco Viejo. The town was destroyed. The people who survived moved west. They started a new town called Boaquito (little Boaco) near the Malacatoya River.
Moving to Higher Ground
Between 1752 and 1772, the people of Boaquito moved again. They went to higher ground, which is where Boaco is today. They moved because the lowlands often flooded. Also, people got sick more easily there during the rainy season.
Becoming a Department Capital
Boaco used to be part of the Chontales Department. In 1910, a new department was created with Boaco as its capital. However, this change did not last. Later, on July 18, 1935, the Boaco Department was officially created. Boaco was chosen as its capital. This new department included several towns like Camoapa and Teustepe.
Explore Boaco's Landscape
Boaco is in the central part of Nicaragua. It has many hills and mountains. These mountains are not as tall as those in northern Nicaragua. The highest point is El Cerro de la Vieja, which is about 1,020 meters (3,346 feet) high. The city's average height above sea level is 360 meters (1,181 feet).
Boaco's Neighbors
The municipality of Boaco shares its borders with other towns. To the north is Muy Muy. To the south are San Lorenzo and Camoapa. Camoapa is also to the east. To the west are San José de los Remates, Santa Lucia, and Teustepe.
Boaco's Weather
Boaco has different types of weather. It can be like a tropical forest or like tropical grasslands with scattered trees. The average temperature is usually between 27°C and 30°C (81-86°F) in summer. In December, it cools down to about 18°C (64°F). The area gets a lot of rain, between 1,200 and 2,000 mm (47-79 inches) each year.
Boaco's Economy
Boaco is an important center for farming and cattle ranching. The city helps Nicaragua's economy by providing beef and dairy products. These products are sold across the country and exported to other nations.
Modern Changes
New paved roads have made it easier for businesses from Managua to reach Boaco. This has helped the local economy grow. Boaco now has casinos, banks, and gas stations. It even has its first traffic lights! About 40% of Boaco's population works. This is about 23,000 people. The unemployment rate is around 13%.
Education in Boaco
Boaco has many students and teachers. In 2000, there were about 31,000 students and 350 teachers.
Schools in the City
- Elementary Schools: About 10,000 students attend 22 schools in the city area.
- Secondary Schools: About 15,000 students attend 15 schools in the city area.
Schools in Rural Areas
- Multi-grade Schools: About 10,000 students attend 308 schools in rural areas. These schools teach different grades in one classroom.
Pre-Schools
- City Pre-Schools: About 2,000 children attend 74 pre-schools in the city.
- Rural Pre-Schools: About 3,000 children attend 308 pre-schools in rural areas.
Boaco's People
The municipality of Boaco is home to about 1% of Nicaragua's total population. It is very important for the country's economy. It produces a lot of beef and dairy products.
In 2006, Boaco had about 56,900 people. Almost half were men (49%) and a little more than half were women (51%). The average age of people in Boaco is about 21.4 years old. Most of the population (60.5%) is between 15 and 64 years old. Most people (61%) live in rural areas, while 39% live in the city. There are about 52 people living in each square kilometer.
Boaco's Culture
Boaco has a public library called Fernando Buitrago Morales. It was started in 1979 by Flavio César Tijerino and some young students. The library began with 500 books. Today, it has over 8,000 books, thanks to support from many groups and people.
Boaco also has several museums. These include the Boaco Museum of Anthropology and the Municipal Museum. There is also a private museum owned by Armando Incer Barquero.
Literature and Arts
Boaco is known for its writers and artists. Hernan Robleto and Fernando Buitrago Morales were early writers from Boaco. Many poets and artists, like Armando Incer Barquero and Flavio Cesar Tijerino (poet and writer), also came from here. In recent years, new artists like Lázaro Díaz have continued this tradition. Famous painters from Boaco include Armando Morales Sequeira and Julito Sequeira.
Local Celebrations
Boaco celebrates its patron saint, Apóstol Santiago (Apostle Saint James), starting on July 25. A special part of this celebration is Los Bailantes (The Dancers). This is a group of farmers who have performed every year for centuries. They dance to honor the patron saint of Boaco.
Getting Around and Staying Connected
Boaco is connected to other cities by both paved and unpaved roads. You can travel by public bus to Managua and other places.
Staying in Touch
The Nicaraguan Telecommunications Company (ENITEL) manages phone services in Boaco. About 1,326 people in the area have landline phones. Mobile phones are very popular. Movistar and Claro are the two main companies that provide mobile phone services.
Local Media
Boaco has its own local cable TV channel called BoacoVisión. There are also several local radio stations that broadcast on FM.
See also
In Spanish: Boaco para niños
