Lempira Department facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lempira Department
Departamento de Lempira
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department
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Location of Lempira in Honduras
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| Country |  Honduras |
| Municipalities | 28 |
| Villages | 303 |
| Founded | 25 June 1825 |
| Capital city | Gracias |
| Government | |
| • Type | Departmental |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,285 km2 (1,654 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 333,125 |
| • Density | 77.742/km2 (201.351/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CDT) |
| Postal code |
42101, 42201
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| ISO 3166 code | HN-LE |
| HDI (2017) | 0.509 low · 18th |
| Statistics derived from Consult INE online database: Population and Housing Census 2013 | |
Lempira is one of the 18 departments in Honduras. It is located in the western part of the country. The department shares borders with Ocotepeque and Copán to the west. To the east, it borders Intibucá, and to the north, Santa Bárbara. The El Salvador–Honduras border is to its south. The capital city of Lempira is Gracias.
Contents
History of Lempira Department
This area was called Gracias department until 1943. During colonial times, the city of Gracias was a very important place for the Spanish. It was an early administrative center. However, it later became less important than Antigua in Guatemala.
The department was renamed to honor Lempira. He was a brave local chieftain, or leader, of the Lenca people. Lempira fought against the Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) in the early 16th century.
Geography and Natural Features
Lempira is a rugged department with many mountains. It is somewhat isolated from the rest of the country. The highest mountain peak in all of Honduras is found here. It is called Cerro las Minas.
The department covers a total area of about 4,290 square kilometers. In 2005, around 277,910 people lived in Lempira.
What Can Be Found in Lempira?
Did you know that Opals are mined in Lempira? These beautiful gemstones are found near the town of Erandique.
Cities and Towns in Lempira
Lempira is divided into 28 smaller areas called municipalities. Each municipality has its own local government. Here are the municipalities in Lempira:
- Belén
- Candelaria
- Cololaca
- Erandique
- Gracias
- Gualcince
- Guarita
- La Campa
- La Iguala
- Las Flores
- La Unión
- La Virtud
- Lepaera
- Mapulaca
- Piraera
- San Andrés
- San Francisco
- San Juan Guarita
- San Manuel Colohete
- San Marcos de Caiquín
- San Rafael
- San Sebastián
- Santa Cruz
- Talgua
- Tambla
- Tomalá
- Valladolid
- Virginia
See also
In Spanish: Departamento de Lempira para niños
