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Yuscarán
Municipality
A street in Yuscarán
A street in Yuscarán
Yuscarán is located in Honduras
Yuscarán
Yuscarán
Location in Honduras
Country Honduras
Department El Paraíso
Founded 1737
Area
 • Municipality 332 km2 (128 sq mi)
Population
 (2023 projection)
 • Municipality 17,117
 • Density 51.56/km2 (133.53/sq mi)
 • Urban
5,763
Yuscaran Honduras square
A park and church in Yuscarán
Yuscaran Honduras street 3
Colonial architecture in Yuscarán

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.

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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Yuscarán para niños

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