Juticalpa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Juticalpa
Municipality
Overlooking Barrio El Centro from La Cruz
Flag Coat of arms
Juticalpa Location in Honduras
Country	Honduras
Department	Olancho
Area
• Municipality	2,605 km2 (1,006 sq mi)
Elevation	410 m (1,350 ft)
Population  (2023 projection)
• Municipality	150,211
• Density	57.663/km2 (149.345/sq mi)
• Urban	89,837
Climate	Aw

Juticalpa is the capital city of the Olancho Department in Honduras. It is also the main town of the Juticalpa Municipality. In 2023, about 75,790 people lived here.

The city sits in a wide river valley next to the Rio Juticalpa. It is a busy center for trade, especially for Olancho's farming and ranching businesses. The main church, called Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción, is an important Catholic church in the area.

Geography and Climate

Juticalpa is located in the Guayape River valley. This valley is surrounded by the Sierra de Agalta mountains.

Small villages like La Concepción and La Empalizada are nearby. The closest town is Catacamas, which is about 30 miles to the northeast.

Weather in Juticalpa

The weather in Juticalpa is much warmer than in cities like Tegucigalpa. This is because of the valley's elevation. From May to September, it's the wet season, and many thunderstorms happen.

October, November, and December are cooler and often cloudy with light rain. The dry season is from January to April. During this time, there is very little rain. You might see field fires, which can create a lot of smoke over the valley. The air gets better after the first rain. During the rainy season, it's important to watch out for mosquitoes.

City Layout and Transportation

Juticalpa is divided into twelve main neighborhoods. These are called Barrios or "Colonias." Some of them include Barrio El Centro, Barrio de Jesús, and Colonia San Miguel. Most of the city is built on a gentle slope on the southwest side of the Juticalpa river.

The Boulevard Los Poetas connects Barrio El Centro to the main Olancho highway. This is where intercity buses arrive and depart. The main bus station is at the start of this boulevard. Several bus companies serve all 23 counties of Olancho. Two companies, Discovery and Aurora, offer regular and executive bus services to Tegucigalpa and Catacamas.

Juticalpa has two public parks. Parque Central is in Barrio El Centro. The cathedral and city hall are located around it. The smaller Parque Infantil is in Barrio Belén, across from the Santa Clara school. Sometimes, old items from ancient civilizations are found in Barrio Belén.

People and Population

In 2013, the Juticalpa municipality had a population of 124,828 people. Most of the people (about 91%) were Mestizo. This means they have mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. About 6.7% were White, and 1% were Black or Afro-Honduran.

Economy and Local Products

Juticalpa's economy mainly relies on farming and trade. The wide, fertile river valleys of Olancho are great for growing corn and raising cattle. Many dairies produce Queso Olanchano, a hard, salty cheese, and "Mantequilla Crema," a white cream. These products are sold all over Honduras, Central America, and even in the United States.

Because it's close to successful farms and on Olancho's only paved highway, Juticalpa has become quite prosperous. Even with a strong farming base, some people in Juticalpa don't have jobs. To earn money, many people run small shops called pulperías. They sell everyday items and food to their neighbors.

Juticalpa has many small businesses and restaurants. You can find everything from small taco stands to air-conditioned dining places. There's a hospital, medical clinics, and many public and private schools. ATMs are easy to find in town and at banks. A new mall has opened, and there are four large supermarkets. Some main streets have been paved recently, but many smaller streets are still unpaved.

The area is also a stop for tourists visiting the Sierra de Agalta National Park. Tourists also come to see the Cuevas de Talgua, which are limestone caves. These caves contain the ancient remains of people who lived there long ago.

Juticalpa is also famous in Honduras for making a special wine. This wine comes from the coyol palm tree. People cut down palm trees in March and April, which is the dry season. They then enjoy the wine right there or sell it in plastic bottles. The village of La Concepción, west of Juticalpa, is a good place to find this wine.

Education

Juticalpa has many schools for students of all ages. There are public and private schools, high schools, and universities. One private bilingual school is Day Star School. It was started by two Americans and teaches students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

Culture and Fun Activities

City Fair

Juticalpa's city fair is held every year from December 8th to 14th. It is dedicated to "The Virgin of Concepción." During this time, many fun activities happen on the main streets, at the Parque Central, and at the AGAO (Association of Ranchers and Farmers of Olancho).

Local Food

As a commercial center, Juticalpa offers many delicious local foods. These dishes use fresh produce, dairy, and meat.

Some popular dishes include:

• Carne Asada: Grilled meat, often considered some of the best in the country.
• Tapado Olanchano: A traditional stew from Olancho.
• Yuca con Chicharrón: Yucca root served with fried pork rinds.
• Baleadas: A popular Honduran dish with a flour tortilla, beans, cheese, and cream.
• Tacos, Tajaditas, Enchiladas, and Pastelitos de Carne: Other local snacks and meals.

You can also find tasty corn and cheese-based treats like Rosquillas, quesadillas, and Hojaldras. Because there's a lot of cheese and corn produced here, these are especially good in Juticalpa, especially in La Concepción village. Recently, tilapia fish farms have become successful. This means you can find fresh tilapia fish in many of Juticalpa's restaurants.

Sports

The city's football (soccer) team is called Juticalpa F.C.. Their nickname is "Los Canecheros." They play their games at the Juan Ramón Brevé Vargas stadium.

Famous People from Juticalpa

• Porfirio Lobo Sosa: Born in 1947, he was the President of Honduras from 2010 to 2014. He is also an economics professor and politician.
• Froylán Turcios: (1875–1943) A Honduran writer, journalist, and politician.
• Clementina Suárez: (1902–1991) A famous Honduran poet.