Tocoa, Colón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tocoa
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Municipality
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![]() Main street
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Country | Honduras |
Department | Colón |
Established | 1892 |
Area | |
• Municipality | 888 km2 (343 sq mi) |
Elevation | 38 m (125 ft) |
Population
(2023 projection)
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• Municipality | 111,972 |
• Density | 126.09/km2 (326.58/sq mi) |
• Urban | 78,014 |
Tocoa, Colón is a city and a municipality in northern Honduras. It is located in the Colón department. The city sits slightly inland at 38 meters (125 feet) above sea level. It is in the Aguán valley, next to the Aguán river. In 2023, about 63,320 people lived in Tocoa.
Contents
Tocoa's Economy: Farming and Growth
Tocoa is an important farming area. Farmers mostly grow African oil palm. This plant is used to make cooking oil, lard, and even biodiesel.
The city also produces a lot of milk. This is because many animals are raised here. Some milk is sold to dairy companies. The rest is used by people living in the area.
Other crops grown in smaller amounts include corn, beans, rice, and different vegetables. Oranges, bananas, and watermelon are also grown when they are in season.
Tocoa is located in the middle of the Aguán Valley. This makes it a great place for trade. The city's economy is growing. You can see this with new shopping centers and fast food restaurants opening up.
Geography and Weather in Tocoa
Tocoa is located between two hills, Garcia and La Abiscinia. It is 61 kilometers (38 miles) from Trujillo. It is also 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Sabá. Other nearby cities include Olanchito (70 km or 43 mi away) and La Ceiba (100 km or 62 mi away). San Pedro Sula is further, at 303 kilometers (188 miles).
Rivers and Water Sources
Several rivers flow through Tocoa's area. These include the Río Tocoa, Río Taujíca, Río San Pedro, and Río Salamá. These rivers help water the farmlands around the city. The Aguán and Gualaco rivers are also important water sources.
Tocoa's Climate
Tocoa has a hot, tropical climate. The average temperature is about 29°C (84°F). The rainy season lasts from June to January. During this time, Tocoa gets about 1000 millimeters (39 inches) of rain each year.
Culture and Sports
Soccer in Tocoa
Soccer is very popular in Tocoa. The city's main soccer team is C.D. Real Sociedad. They play their games at the Estadio Francisco Martínez Durón. This stadium is owned by the city.
In 2012, Real Sociedad moved up to the first division. They even brought in famous players like Julio César de León. The team has done very well in the top league. They have reached the final game many times. People in Tocoa love to watch their team play. The stadium is often full of fans.
Important Services in Tocoa
Tocoa has many businesses and services. You can find banks, companies, and different organizations here.
One important group is Misiones del Agua Internacional. This is a Christian engineering non-profit organization. They help people in need by providing safe water, good sanitation, and health education. Their main office for Latin America is in Tocoa.
There is also a place called the Rehabilitation Center (Centro de Rehabilitacion Integral de Colon - CRICOL ). This center offers special care for people with disabilities. They help people improve their health and well-being.
What Does the Name Tocoa Mean?
The name Tocoa comes from an old word, "Tocoacin." This word means "place of green ears" or "land of corn." Another related word is "Toctlihacan," which points to a specific place.
Archaeologists have found old items in this area. These include jade stones and obsidian mud. The name Tocoa is also linked to "Tocoana." This means "valley of high and green mountains."
See also
In Spanish: Tocoa para niños