La Virtud facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Virtud
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Municipality
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Panoramic View
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 La Virtud
Location in Honduras
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| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Lempira |
| Municipality since | 1859 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 83 km2 (32 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 6,640 |
| • Density | 80.0/km2 (207.2/sq mi) |
La Virtud is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Lempira department of Honduras. It's known for being close to the border of El Salvador. Getting there can take about four hours from bigger cities like Gracias or Santa Rosa de Copán. The easiest way to reach La Virtud is by traveling through Santa Rosa de Copán, San Marcos de Ocotepeque, Cololaca, and Valladolid.
Contents
History of La Virtud
The first people to settle in La Virtud were Spanish explorers from El Salvador. They came looking for land to grow plants used to make blue dye. It is believed that a priest named Doroteo Alvarenga founded the town in 1775. La Virtud officially became a municipality in 1859.
Geography and Climate
The main part of La Virtud is in a valley. This means it is not very high above sea level. The plants and trees here are typical of a dry subtropical forest. The weather is hot all year round.
Outside the main town, there are some mountains and hills. But the plants and weather in these areas are similar to the valley.
Where is La Virtud?
La Virtud shares its borders with several places:
- North: Valladolid municipality
- South: El Salvador
- East: El Salvador
- West: Gualcince and Mapulaca municipalities
The total area of La Virtud is about 83 square kilometers.
Economy and Resources
The main way people earn money in La Virtud is through trade. They often trade goods with people in El Salvador. Because of this, the US dollar is commonly used as money here, along with the local currency.
Another important part of the economy is raising cattle and making milk products. Farmers also grow corn and beans. There are places where coffee beans are collected. The main town has electricity, hardware stores, and grocery stores.
Population and People
Most people in La Virtud are a mix of native Honduran people and Spanish settlers. There are also a few families of native Indian background living in the villages around the town.
Population Numbers
In 2001, about 6,133 people lived in La Virtud. By 2015, it was estimated that the population had grown to 6,640 people.
La Virtud municipality has:
- 13 villages
- 48 smaller settlements
Who Lives in La Virtud?
A census in 2013 showed the different groups of people living in La Virtud.
- About 55.52% were Mestizo (a mix of European and Indigenous heritage).
- Around 28.95% were Indigenous (native people).
- About 9.51% were Black or Afro-Honduran.
- Roughly 5.94% were White.
- A very small number (0.08%) were from other groups.
Fun Things to Do
La Virtud has a downtown area that looks like old Spanish colonial towns. A great activity is swimming in the rivers nearby. One of these is the "Lempa" river, which is on the border with El Salvador.
Local Celebrations
La Virtud has two special holidays:
- "Virgen del Carmen" Day: Celebrated in July.
- "Virgen de Santa Barbara" Day: Celebrated on December 4.
You can find more information about activities in La Virtud by visiting this link: La Virtud
See also
In Spanish: La Virtud para niños
