Piraera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Piraera
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Municipality
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Panoramic View of Piraera town
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 Piraera
Location in Honduras
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| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Lempira |
| Area | |
| • Total | 179 km2 (69 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 14,124 |
| • Density | 78.91/km2 (204.4/sq mi) |
Piraera is a cool town in the Lempira department of Honduras. It sits on a part of the "Congolón" mountain. The town is about 105 kilometers away from the city of Gracias.
Contents
Piraera: A Look at Its Past
The first people who lived in Piraera came from nearby towns. These included San Antonio, Santa Lucia, and Magdalena. Records from 1702 show that people were already living here. By 1791, Piraera was part of a larger area called "Curato" de Cerquin. Later, in 1889, it became its own municipality under Candelaria. Some people believe that Lempira, a famous national hero of Honduras, lived here. He might have received his power from a chief named "Etempic" when the Spanish arrived.
Exploring Piraera's Geography
Piraera is located high up in the mountains. This means you'll find lots of pine and oak trees in its forests. The high elevation is also perfect for growing coffee plants. The mountains and hills around Piraera are very tall and steep. Many water springs flow down these hills.
There's a giant rock on the way to the capital city of the department. This huge rock shows that the area once had volcanoes. It's a cool reminder of how the land was formed!
Where is Piraera Located?
Piraera shares its borders with several other places.
- North: It borders the towns of Gualcince and Erandique.
- South: It touches the Intibuca department and the country of El Salvador.
- East: It's next to San Francisco municipality and the Intibuca department.
- West: It borders the towns of Candelaria and Virginia.
- Size: The total area of Piraera is 179 square kilometers.
What Piraera Produces
Coffee is the most important product grown in Piraera. Farmers also raise cattle and make products like milk and cheese. Other important crops include corn and beans. The many trees in the area also provide some income.
Piraera has plenty of water springs. These springs provide water for people, animals, and crops. Like other parts of the department, Piraera has electricity. People can also access the internet at the Mayor's office. Mobile phone services are available too. Some people even sell fuel from their homes.
Piraera's Population
Most of the people living in Piraera are Indigenous.
- Total Population: In 2001, about 11,420 people lived here. By 2015, it was estimated to be around 14,124 people.
- Villages: Piraera has 10 main villages.
- Settlements: There are 105 smaller settlements.
Who Lives in Piraera?
A census in 2013 showed the different groups of people in Piraera. Out of 13,758 people:
- 78% were Indigenous.
- 20.44% were Mestizo (people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry).
- 1.50% were Black or Afro-Honduran.
- 0.06% were White.
Visiting Piraera
To get to Piraera, you usually travel through Santa Cruz, San Andrés, and Gualcince towns. The turn-off to Piraera is about 85 kilometers from Gracias, on the left. This road is made of dirt, but it's fixed regularly throughout the year.
If you visit during the rainy season, be careful! Landslides can happen on the road. Piraera is a quiet town with a classic colonial layout. Fun things to do include hiking in the hills. From the hills, you can see volcanoes in El Salvador and the Intibuca department. There's also a beautiful waterfall along the way.
Piraera has some special local holidays. "Santiago's Day" is celebrated on July 25. "Sagrado Corazon Day" and "San Jose Day" are both celebrated on October 19.
See also
In Spanish: Piraera para niños
