Santo Tomás, Nicaragua facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santo Tomás
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Municipality
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 Santo Tomás
Location in Nicaragua
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| Country |  Nicaragua |
| Department | Chontales Department |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 211 sq mi (547 km2) |
| Population
(2022 estimate)
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| • Municipality | 19,342 |
| • Density | 91.58/sq mi (35.36/km2) |
| • Urban | 14,463 |
Santo Tomás is a town and a municipality in the Chontales Department of Nicaragua. A municipality is like a local government area. It is located about 179 kilometers (111 miles) from Managua, the capital city. It is also about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Juigalpa. The town is on the main highway that leads to the Atlantic Coast.
The main ways people make a living in Santo Tomás are through farming and raising animals. Many businesses are small shops owned by families. These families often live right next to their stores. One of the oldest pharmacies in the area, Lopez Pharmacy, is in Santo Tomás. Its owner helped start the Red Cross in the town. Santo Tomás is known as the "quesillo capital" of Nicaragua. Quesillo is a local cheese dish. People even joke that the rivers flow with milk and the rocks are made of cheese!
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Climate and Weather
The weather in Santo Tomás is usually warm. However, it is often breezier and more pleasant than hotter places like Managua. The rainy season typically begins in late May and lasts until December. Lately, changes in global climate have affected the rainy seasons. This has made it harder for farmers and can impact the health of livestock. In November and December, the temperature becomes much cooler.
Population and People
In 2022, the municipality of Santo Tomás had about 19,342 people living there. About 48.7% of the people are male, and 51.3% are female.
Beliefs and Churches
Most people in Santo Tomás are Catholic. However, more and more people are joining evangelical churches. There are several evangelical churches and a Catholic church in the town. Santo Tomás celebrates two special patron saint days each year. These are big celebrations to honor the town's saints.
Learning and Education
Santo Tomás has a central park where you can find free Wi-Fi. There are both private and public schools for students. If students want to continue their education after high school, they can go to a private university in town. They can also travel to national universities in Juigalpa or Managua. Juigalpa is the main city of the department, and Managua is the capital of Nicaragua.
International Connections
Santo Tomás has special relationships with two communities in other countries. One is with the Thurston-Santo Tomás Sister County Association. This is a non-profit group based in Olympia, Washington, USA, that started in 1989. The other is an official sister city relationship with Mol, Belgium. This connection has been in place since 1985. These relationships help people from different places learn from each other.
Staying Safe
Santo Tomás is a fairly safe town. Most people get along well and know their neighbors. While there is no malaria in Santo Tomás, other mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and chikungunya are found in Central America. To stay safe, it's a good idea to use mosquito repellent. It's also helpful to use "mosquiteros" (mosquito nets) at night.
