Virginia, Honduras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Virginia
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Municipality
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A panoramic view of the whole town
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 Virginia, Honduras
Location in Honduras
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| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Lempira |
| Villages | 5 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36 km2 (14 sq mi) |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 2,574 |
| • Density | 71.5/km2 (185.2/sq mi) |
Virginia is a small town, also called a municipality, located in Honduras. It is part of the Lempira department. The town is special because it is right on the border with El Salvador. This means that many people from Virginia often travel to El Salvador for shopping or work, as other cities in Honduras can be quite far away.
Virginia is one of the smallest municipalities in the Lempira department. It is about 15 kilometers (or 30 minutes) from Mapulaca if you travel through Gracias.
Contents
History of Virginia
Virginia was founded a long time ago, in 1830. Later, in 1889, when Honduras was divided into different areas, Virginia became a municipality within the area of Candelaria.
Geography and Landscape
Virginia is built on a mostly flat area, but it is surrounded by many hills. The plants and trees you see there are typical of a dry subtropical forest. In the main part of the town, some of the streets are on slopes.
Where is Virginia Located?
Virginia shares its borders with several other places:
- To the North: Candelaria municipality.
- To the South: El Salvador.
- To the East: Piraera municipality.
- To the West: Mapulaca municipality.
The total area of Virginia is about 36 square kilometers.
What Resources Does Virginia Have?
Because Virginia is so close to El Salvador, it is easy for people to go there for business. Many people also find better jobs across the border, and they can even earn money in US dollars, which is a big advantage.
Virginia is not the best place for growing coffee. Instead, farmers mainly grow corn and beans, which are used by the local people. Raising cattle is also important here. Like most places in the Lempira department, Virginia has electricity and mobile phone services.
Population and People
In 2015, it was estimated that about 2,574 people lived in Virginia. The municipality has 5 main villages and 35 smaller settlements.
Who Lives in Virginia?
According to a census in 2013, most people in Virginia (about 97%) are Mestizo, which means they have mixed European and Indigenous heritage. About 3% are Indigenous, mostly from the Lenca group. A very small number are Black or Afro-Honduran.
Fun Things to Do in Virginia
Even though the road to Virginia can be a bit bumpy, it is still an easy drive. You can see most of the main town in about half an hour. If you like quiet, rural towns, Virginia is a great place to visit. It is interesting that the mobile phone signal from El Salvador is often stronger than the Honduran signal here!
Since Virginia is close to the Lempa River, a popular activity is going there to swim. The local holidays and festivals are also a big draw and bring many visitors to the town.
When are the Local Holidays?
The main local holiday in Virginia is "Santa Lucia" day, which is celebrated on December 13.
See also
In Spanish: Virginia (Honduras) para niños
