Ocotal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ocotal
La Sultana del Norte
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Municipality
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Downtown Ocotal
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 Ocotal
Location in Nicaragua
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| Country |  Nicaragua |
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| Department | Nueva Segovia Department | |
| Area | ||
| • Municipality | 85.2 km2 (32.9 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2022 estimate)
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| • Municipality | 50,178 | |
| • Density | 588.9/km2 (1,525.4/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 48,765 | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC] | |
| Climate | Aw | |
Ocotal is an important city in Nicaragua, a country in Central America. It's the main city and capital of the Nueva Segovia Department. The name "Ocotal" comes from a Nahuatl word meaning "pine resin," because there are many pine trees in the area.
Contents
History of Ocotal
Ocotal has a long and interesting history. The area was first home to different groups of people who spoke a language called Nahuatl. They likely moved here from Mexico many centuries ago.
Founding the City
Spanish settlers arrived because they found gold near the Choluteca River. In 1543, they officially started a city here. They first named it Nueva Segovia, but later changed it to Ocotal. This name stuck because of the many pine trees.
A Historic Battle
In 1927, Ocotal was part of a major event. It saw one of the first ever dive-bombing attacks in history. This happened during a battle between American Marines and the Nicaraguan National Guard against rebels led by Augusto César Sandino.
Recent Events
In 2009, Ocotal briefly became a place for important talks. The president of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, who had been removed from power, came to Ocotal. He tried to work out an agreement with the new leaders.
Exploring Ocotal
Ocotal is the capital of the Nueva Segovia Department in Nicaragua. The city is in a valley and has a population of about 50,000 people. Its main products are coffee and lumber.
Natural Beauty and Activities
The area around Ocotal is full of natural beauty. To the north, you can find the Dipilto-Jalapa pine forests. The Segovia River, which is very long, flows to the south. You can also visit Mozonte, a town known for its local crafts.
There are many chances for hiking in the beautiful mountains nearby. You can explore Mount Guásara or float down the Segovia (or Coco) River. A trip to the El Rosario Waterfalls, east of Ocotal, is also a great idea.
Cool Weather and Old Buildings
Because Ocotal is in a valley and close to Nicaragua's tallest mountains, it has cool weather. This means it avoids the extreme heat found in other parts of western Nicaragua.
The old part of the city has some of the oldest colonial buildings in the region. One example is the La Asuncion Parrish Church. The Plaza Central is also very well-kept. It's a garden in the middle of the city with hundreds of different flowers and tropical plants.
Geography and Climate
Ocotal is known for its landscape. It has steep hills to the north and south, and flat areas (plateaus) to the west. The city itself sits in a valley. It is about 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level.
Ocotal's Climate
Ocotal has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has a wet season and a dry season. The temperatures are warm all year round.
| Climate data for Ocotal (1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.6 (88.9) |
33.1 (91.6) |
36.1 (97.0) |
36.1 (97.0) |
36.3 (97.3) |
34.3 (93.7) |
31.9 (89.4) |
32.3 (90.1) |
32.5 (90.5) |
32.9 (91.2) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.8 (87.4) |
33.3 (91.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 22.4 (72.3) |
23.3 (73.9) |
24.9 (76.8) |
26.0 (78.8) |
26.3 (79.3) |
24.9 (76.8) |
24.3 (75.7) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.6 (76.3) |
24.3 (75.7) |
23.3 (73.9) |
22.5 (72.5) |
24.3 (75.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.0 (53.6) |
12.6 (54.7) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.2 (63.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
18.6 (65.5) |
17.6 (63.7) |
17.4 (63.3) |
18.1 (64.6) |
16.9 (62.4) |
14.3 (57.7) |
12.7 (54.9) |
15.9 (60.6) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 3 (0.1) |
3 (0.1) |
8 (0.3) |
36 (1.4) |
129 (5.1) |
159 (6.3) |
82 (3.2) |
96 (3.8) |
166 (6.5) |
135 (5.3) |
50 (2.0) |
7 (0.3) |
874 (34.4) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 72 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 239.0 | 231.2 | 265.0 | 241.4 | 226.8 | 195.0 | 194.3 | 224.9 | 196.1 | 206.8 | 211.2 | 228.3 | 2,660 |
| Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |||||||||||||
City Life and Sports
Ocotal is divided into many different areas. There are 29 neighborhoods, each with its own name. These neighborhoods are grouped into 10 larger zones for city management.
Neighborhoods of Ocotal
Some of the neighborhoods include José Santos Rodríguez, Sandino, Hermanos Zamora, and Teodoro López. Other areas are called Monseñor Madrigal, José Santos Duarte, Danilo Ponce, and Yelba María Antúnez.
Local Sports Teams
Ocotal is also home to a well-known soccer team. They are called Deportivo Ocotal.
Global Connections
Ocotal has special connections with cities in other countries. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."
Ocotal's Sister Cities
Ocotal is twinned with:
Images for kids
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Downtown Ocotal
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A church in Ocotal
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A street in Ocotal
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Independence Day celebrations
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An Independence Day parade
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The Ocotal stadium
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Local performers
Map
You can find a map of Ocotal created by the OpenStreetMap project here.
See also
In Spanish: Ocotal para niños
