Copán Department facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Copán
department
Cathedral of Santa Rosa
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Honduras
Municipalities	23
Villages	337
Founded	28 May 1869
Seat	Santa Rosa de Copán
Government
• Type	Departmental
Area
• Total	3,239 km2 (1,251 sq mi)
Population  (2015)
• Total	382,722
• Density	118.161/km2 (306.03/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CDT)
Postal code	41101, 41202
ISO 3166 code	HN-CP
HDI (2017)	0.557 medium · 15th
Statistics derived from Consult INE online database: Population and Housing Census 2013

Copán is a special region, or 'department,' located in the western part of Honduras. Its main city, or capital, is Santa Rosa de Copán. This area is famous for its tobacco and excellent cigars.

But what really makes Copán special is its ancient Maya city ruins. This was once one of the most important cities of the amazing Maya civilization.

Copán covers about 3,242 square kilometers (1,252 square miles). In 2015, about 382,722 people lived there.

What Does "Copán" Mean?

The name "Copán" comes from the Ch'orti' language. This was the language spoken by the Maya people who lived there.

A Look Back: Copán's History

The land that is now Copán was once home to two main groups of people. The Maya-Chortis civilization lived in the west and north. The Lenca people lived in the far south.

The name "Copán" is believed to come from a brave warrior named Copán Galel. He fought to protect his lands when the Spanish arrived.

This area was part of a larger region called Gracias a Dios during colonial times. It was part of the Lempira region until May 28, 1869. On that date, Copán officially became its own department. The city of Santa Rosa de Copán was chosen as its capital. This happened when Captain General Don José María Medina was in charge.

How Copán Makes Money

The Department of Copán is a very mountainous area. Its main way of earning money is through tourism. Many people visit the amazing Maya archaeological sites.

Besides tourism, people in Copán also make money from:

• Growing and selling coffee.
• Growing tobacco and making products from it.
• Raising livestock (farm animals).
• Growing vegetables and basic grains like corn.
• Making leather goods, like saddles.
• Producing other industrial products.

Cities and Towns in Copán

Copán is divided into several smaller areas called municipalities. Here are some of them:

Images for kids

• 

  Cathedral of Santa Rosa

• 

  Seal of Copán

• 

  Location of Copán in Honduras

• 

  Flag of Copán