Yuscarán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yuscarán
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Municipality
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A street in Yuscarán
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 Yuscarán
Location in Honduras
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| Country | Honduras |
| Department | El Paraíso |
| Founded | 1737 |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 332 km2 (128 sq mi) |
| Population
(2023 projection)
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| • Municipality | 17,117 |
| • Density | 51.56/km2 (133.53/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 5,763 |
Yuscarán is a town and a municipality in Honduras. It is the capital of the El Paraíso department. The town is about 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras. Juan Diego Sierra founded this town. In 2023, the town had a population of about 2,550 people.
Contents
History of Yuscarán
How Yuscarán Was Founded
The municipality of Yuscarán was established in 1730. In 1746, people found gold, silver, and other valuable metals in the nearby hills. This discovery attracted many Spanish mining companies to the area.
Spanish settlers then built the town. They designed Yuscarán in the traditional style of 18th-century Spain. This is why many buildings still look very old and beautiful today.
Mining and Growth
For many years, Spanish and later North American mining companies operated here. This brought both good and bad things to Yuscarán. At its peak, Yuscarán was a very rich mining town. Some of Honduras's most important families lived there.
Yuscarán was one of the first places in Honduras to get electricity. This happened in 1898, even before Tegucigalpa had it. Because it was so important, Yuscarán became the capital of the El Paraíso Department in 1869.
Changes After Mining
However, when the mining stopped, most of the foreign companies left. They took their money and belongings with them. This caused the town to become less wealthy.
In 1979, Yuscarán was declared a National Monument. This means its historical buildings are protected. In the town center, there are more than 200 colonial homes.
Geography of Yuscarán
Mountains and Water Sources
The large mountain of Montserrat stands over the town to the southeast. This mountain is a special biological reserve. It is also the main source of water for the area.
The water from Montserrat is used by the villagers. They use it to make a special sugar cane alcohol called aguardiente, which is a famous product of Yuscarán.
Economy of Yuscarán
The Aguardiente Industry
After the mining industry declined, a new industry grew in Yuscarán. This is the production of aguardiente, also known as guaro. This industry is what Yuscarán is famous for today.
The Yuscarán factory, also called the Distileria del Buen Gusto, started in 1939. It continues to produce this well-known drink.
Notable People from Yuscarán
- Teresita Fortín, a famous painter.
See also
In Spanish: Yuscarán para niños
