Olanchito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olanchito
Municipality
Olanchito Location in Honduras
Country	Honduras
Department	Yoro
Government
• Type	Democratic Municipality
Area
• Municipality	2,019 km2 (780 sq mi)
Population  (2023 projection)
• Municipality	124,286
• Density	61.558/km2 (159.43/sq mi)
• Urban	74,371
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central America)
Climate	Aw

Olanchito is a town and a municipality in the Yoro department of Honduras. It was founded in 1530. As of 2023, the town has about 49,750 people. The whole municipality, which includes 70 villages and around 300 smaller communities, has a population of 124,286.

Olanchito is located about 107 miles (172 km) northeast of Tegucigalpa, which is the capital city of Honduras. The area uses the Central Time Zone. Olanchito is known as the "Civic City" and its main business is agriculture, which means farming. Many famous Honduran writers, like Ramón Amaya Amador, were born here. His writings, books, and even his ashes are kept in Olanchito.

History of Olanchito

Early Spanish Settlements

The Spanish started exploring and settling Honduras in 1525. Hernán Cortés sent groups to expand Spain's control in Central America. One important town they took over was Trujillo, which became a key port on the Atlantic coast and the first capital of Honduras.

Trujillo was a starting point for exploring the Olancho Valley. There was a disagreement between the governors of Honduras and Nicaragua over the rich gold in Olancho. After some fights between Spanish groups, they set up a town called San Jorge de Olancho.

Challenges with Local People

The local people in Olancho were not treated well. They rebelled and attacked the Spanish settlers. Captain Juan de Grijalva, a famous Spanish soldier, was killed during this rebellion. After the attack in 1526, the Spanish survivors scattered. Some went to a town called Caceres, and others went to the Valley of Aguan.

Founding of Olanchito

In 1530, the governor of Honduras, Diego de Salcedo, died, causing some confusion. It's not completely clear who founded Olanchito. However, many records say that Captain Diego de Alvarado founded the town in 1530. He named it San Jorge de Olancho.

Another historian, José Mata Gavidia, said that Pedro de Alvarado sent his brother Jorge to find the city called Olanchito in Honduras. The town of San Jorge de Olanchito was founded on the right side of the Aguán river. The first people there were survivors from San Jorge de Olancho and others sent by Pedro de Alvarado. This new town became a stop on El Camino Real (The Royal Road), which connected Truxillo to Olancho.

Later Settlements and Mining

In 1540, Governor Francisco de Montejo ordered more settlement in Olancho. His officer, Alonzo Caceres, set up a place called San Jorge de Olancho (Viejo), meaning "Old San Jorge de Olancho." Another person, Alonso de Reinoso, founded Nuevo Salamanca. But this town quickly lost its people because of ongoing attacks from local groups.

Olancho became a busy mining area, producing a lot of gold and silver. This wealth was shipped from the ports of Truxillo and Puerto Caballos.

Moving the City

San Jorge de Olancho later became known as El Boqueron. It was completely destroyed in 1611. Historians think it was destroyed by a volcano or an earthquake. Some old stories say it was destroyed by divine causes, like the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The people who survived this disaster moved to different places. Some founded the city of Juticalpa. Others went to San Jorge de Olanchito and Truxillo.

Over time, people moved to the left side of the Aguán river. They built a new settlement there and called it San Jorge de Olancho (Nuevo), meaning "New San Jorge de Olancho." Because all the town's residents moved to this new spot, it was named San Jorge de Olanchito. The old site became known as the old city, or San Juan El Sevillano.

The exact date the current city of Olanchito was founded is not known. It might have been between 1613 and 1620. As settlers moved into the upper valley and along the road to Yoro, new places were established. These included Santa Barbara in 1657 and Subiñas and Santa Cruz in 1682.

Reports and Conflicts

A report from 1742–1745 by engineer Luis Diez Navarro said that Olanchito was an important city. It was located to the east of the capital, Comayagua.

In 1747, the British, along with Miskito natives, attacked the village of Sonaguera. They caused a lot of damage and tried to scare Olanchito.

In 1797, there was still a war between Spain and England. A report from Olanchito said that on April 26, British warships arrived at Truxillo Port. Because of these dangers, the official records and money from Truxillo were moved to Olanchito. They are still there today.

Population of Olanchito

According to the 2013 Honduras census, the Olanchito municipality had 104,609 people. Most of the people (93.81%) were Mestizo, which means they have mixed European and Indigenous heritage. About 3.26% were White, and 2.29% were Indigenous (with 1.56% being Tolupan). A small number (0.60%) were Black or Afro-Honduran, and 0.04% were other groups.

Economic Growth

As of July 2017, Olanchito is a very important city in the Yoro department. It has been growing in education, industry, raising livestock, and farming.

The city's economy was greatly helped by the Standard Fruit Company. This American company started operating in the Aguan Valley in 1899. It played a big part in the local development and even influenced the government of Honduras. Today, their farming methods are certified by Global G.A.P., which means they follow good agricultural practices.

Sports in Olanchito

The local football (soccer) team is called Social Sol. They play in the Honduran second division. Their home games are played at Estadio San Jorge.

Famous People from Olanchito

• Ramón Amaya Amador: A very famous novelist (writer of novels) who was born here.
• Placido Betancourt: He was the mayor of Olanchito in 1899.
• José Roberto Figueroa: A football player who played for Honduras in the 1982 World Cup.

See also

In Spanish: Olanchito para niños