San Juan Guarita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Juan Guarita
|
|
|---|---|
|
Municipality
|
|
View of San Juan Guarita
|
|
 San Juan Guarita
Location in Honduras
|
|
| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Lempira |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 43 km2 (17 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 2,678 |
| • Density | 62.3/km2 (161.3/sq mi) |
| 2015 | |
San Juan Guarita is a small town, or "municipality," located in the Lempira department of Honduras. It's a quiet place, known for its beautiful natural surroundings. Getting there usually takes about 2.5 hours if you travel from Santa Rosa de Copán, passing through towns like San Marcos de Ocotepeque, Cololaca, and Guarita. It is one of the smaller municipalities in the Lempira department.
Contents
Discovering San Juan Guarita's Past
San Juan Guarita has an interesting history. In 1887, it was known as "El Rodeo" and was part of the Guarita municipality.
How San Juan Guarita Became a Municipality
On February 21, 1921, San Juan Guarita officially became its own municipality. This happened because the people living there, especially the Amerindians, had sold some of their land to people from Guarita, sometimes called "Ladinos." This caused problems with land ownership. To solve these issues and gain their own land titles, they decided to separate from Guarita.
Settling Land Disputes
Between 1917 and 1919, the Amerindian people tried to get official documents for their land. This led to some disagreements between the Amerindians and the Ladinos. Guarita became a city on February 26, 1934. On July 4, 1929, leaders from the Lempira department helped mark the exact borders of San Juan Guarita and its villages. Even with these new boundaries, some differences continued between the towns. However, by 1935, the people of San Juan Guarita finally got legal copies of their land titles, which helped improve relationships with the people of Guarita.
Exploring San Juan Guarita's Geography
San Juan Guarita is built on the side of a mountain. It is surrounded by thick forests of pine and oak trees. The mountains and hills in the area are very steep and uneven. Over the years, the weather has become warmer, which is partly due to trees being cut down in the forests.
Where is San Juan Guarita Located?
San Juan Guarita shares its borders with other areas:
- North: Guarita municipality
- South: El Salvador (another country!)
- East: Guarita municipality
- West: Valladolid municipality
The total area of San Juan Guarita is about 43 square kilometers.
Resources and Economy
Because of its high location, San Juan Guarita is a great place for growing coffee. Farmers also grow beans and corn, which are important crops all over Honduras.
Modern Services in the Town
Like many other towns in the Lempira department, San Juan Guarita has electricity and mobile phone services. You can find internet access at the mayor's office. Some homes also sell gasoline and diesel fuel. There are several grocery stores where people can buy food and supplies.
Understanding the Population
Most of the people in San Juan Guarita are Mestizos, which means they have a mix of Spanish and Amerindian heritage.
Population Facts
- Population: In 2013, about 2,650 people lived in San Juan Guarita.
- Villages: The municipality includes 5 main villages.
- Settlements: There are 25 smaller communities within the area.
Visiting San Juan Guarita
San Juan Guarita is not far from the municipality of Guarita, just about half a hill away. The road to San Juan Guarita is usually in good condition for most of the year. You can find the turn-off about 20 kilometers from Cololaca; you take a right turn, while a left turn would lead you to Tambla municipality.
What to See and Do
The buildings in San Juan Guarita have a simple, colonial style. If you are looking for a peaceful and quiet place in the countryside, this is a great spot to visit. The town is also influenced by television and radio from El Salvador, its neighbor to the south. One of the best things to enjoy are the beautiful views of the mountains all around.
Local Celebrations
- Local Holidays: The town celebrates "San Juan" day every year on June 24.
See also
In Spanish: San Juan Guarita para niños
