Condega facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Condega
Municipality
Condega Location in Nicaragua
Country	Nicaragua
Department	Estelí Department
Area
• Municipality	143 sq mi (371 km2)
Population  (2022 estimate)
• Municipality	31,257
• Density	218.21/sq mi (84.25/km2)
• Urban	12,073

Condega is a town and municipality in Nicaragua. It's located in the Estelí Department, which is a region in the country. Condega became an official municipality on June 9, 1962. You can find it along the Pan-American Highway, about 185 kilometers (115 miles) north of Managua, the capital city. It sits at an elevation of 560 meters (1,837 feet) above sea level.

Exploring Condega's Geography

Condega is nestled in the cool, central highlands of Nicaragua. The higher altitude here makes the climate milder and more comfortable. You'll find beautiful forests of oak and pine trees covering the mountain areas.

Where is Condega Located?

The municipality of Condega is part of the Estelí Department. It's located near the Estelí River. Condega is the second largest of the six municipalities in the Estelí Department. Only the city of Estelí is larger.

Condega is about a 3-hour drive north of Managua. The municipality covers an area of 398 square kilometers (about 154 square miles).

Neighboring Areas

Condega shares its borders with several other municipalities:

• To the north: Palacagüina and Telpaneca (in the Madriz Department)
• To the south: The municipality of Estelí
• To the east: San Sebastián de Yalí (in the Jinotega Department)
• To the west: Pueblo Nuevo and San Juan de Limay

Cantagallo Ecological Park

About 22 kilometers (14 miles) east of Condega, you can visit the Ecological Park of Cantagallo. This park is located in the Cantagallo Mountains. It's famous for the many different kinds of orchids that grow there.

Condega's Hilly Landscape

Condega is about 561 meters (1,841 feet) above sea level. The area is known for its very hilly and rugged land. There are big differences in height across the region.

The landscape includes steep slopes, flat areas, and small plains. The height ranges from 550 meters (1,804 feet) in the Condega valley to 1,450 meters (4,757 feet) in areas like El Bramadero and San Jeronimo. Some of the highest points are Cerro El Roble (1,485 meters), Cerro Las Cumbres (1,348 meters), and El Jilguero Hill (1,345 meters). The farming areas are mostly flat plains that are well-drained.

Roads and Transportation

Condega has a network of roads totaling about 156 kilometers (97 miles). This includes main roads, secondary roads, and smaller local roads. The important Pan-American Highway crosses through Condega from north to south for about 18.35 kilometers (11.4 miles).

Inside the town, there are 155 blocks. About 13 of these blocks have asphalt roads, and 22 are paved. This means nearly 30% of the town's streets are paved.

Ancient History of Condega

People have lived in the Condega area since ancient times, long before Europeans arrived. Archaeologists have found many old objects in the town and nearby communities. These items show that people lived here between 800 and 1200 AD.

Condega was an important place for trade and cultural exchange with other groups. This included people from what is now Honduras. This is known because archaeologists found special pottery types, like Ulua Policroma and Babilonio, and clay molds for making figures.

Types of Ancient Artifacts

Archaeologists have found several types of ancient tools and objects:

• Litica: These are stone tools like arrow points, spears, blades, and axes. They were made by hitting and shaping stones such as flint and obsidian.
• Metates: These were grinding stones used to crush corn. They also served as seats or even throne chairs. Some were used for children's games. They came in different sizes and shapes, some with legs and some without. Many were decorated with geometric patterns or animal heads.
• Mortars: These were wooden containers used to crush food, minerals, plants, and animal parts. They were also used to prepare medicines or dyes for pottery and fabrics. They varied in size and shape.

The Museo Arqueológico de Condega (Condega Archaeological Museum) has a collection of over 300 Pre-Columbian artifacts. Some of these amazing pieces are more than 800 years old!

Who Lives in Condega?

According to a 2005 census, Condega had a total population of 28,481 people. About 9,894 people lived in the urban (town) area, and 18,587 lived in the rural (countryside) areas. There were slightly more women (14,307) than men (14,174). Most of the people in Condega are mestizo, which means they have mixed European and Indigenous ancestry.

Healthcare in Condega

The Ada María López Primary Hospital opened in Condega in 2011. This hospital provides basic medical care for the community. For more specialized care, there are three hospitals in the nearby city of Estelí.

Condega also has the San Felipe Dental Clinic for dental health. You can find several pharmacies (farmacias) throughout the town.

Learning and Schools

Condega offers different options for education.

Public Schools

The Ministry of Education manages the public schools. In 2013, the public school at Santa Teresa was renovated. It serves over 500 students at different grade levels. The Juan Castillo School Center is another public school located on Calle Central.

Private and Religious Schools

Besides public schools, Condega has several Christian private schools. These include the Instituto Cristiano Denis Cáceras El Reneuvo, which gets support from Addis International Missions in Addis, Louisiana. There's also the Samaritan Mission school and the Jesus the Potter School, supported by the New Sharon United Methodist Church in New Sharon, Iowa.

Condega also has a special school for boxing!

Local Economy and Crafts

Agriculture is important in Condega. Farmers grow tobacco, and cigars are produced here. Coffee is another major crop grown in the area.

Condega is also known for its crafts. Local artisans create beautiful reproductions of ancient Pre-Columbian pottery.

Local Media

If you want to listen to the radio in Condega, you can tune into The Good Samaritan Mission Radio Station. It broadcasts on FM 98.9 megahertz.

Condega's Climate

International Friends: Sister Cities

Condega has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" or "twin towns." They often share cultural exchanges and friendships.

Condega is a sister city to two cities in the United States and several cities in Europe:

See also

In Spanish: Condega para niños