Municipality of Catacamas
Catacamas is a municipality in the department of Olancho in Honduras.
The municipality of Catacamas is the largest in Central America, covering an area of 7,194 square kilometers. Its city is located on one side of the municipality and has a population of 79,179 inhabitants. It is a developing city and the most important and developed one in the Olancho department, despite not being the departmental capital.
Olancho has an area of 24,000 square kilometers, and Catacamas represents one-fourth of the department.
History
Only 50 years after the arrival of the Spaniards, this beautiful land, mostly inhabited by tribal indigenous people, was already known as San Cristóbal de Catacamas. It was the dawn of mestizaje (1539), the beginning of a long journey in the rich history of the largest municipality with the greatest future in Central America.
The exact date of its foundation is unknown, but by 1770, it already had its boundaries arranged. In the population count of 1791, it appeared as San Francisco Catacamas, part of the curacy of Manto. In the Territorial Political Division of 1889, it was one of the municipalities in the District of Juticalpa. After independence, Catacamas officially became a municipality in 1838.
In the territorial political division of 1889, it appeared as part of the District of Juticalpa. On January 24, 1898, it was granted the title of city, during the presidency of Dr. Policarpo Bonilla and with Demetrio Jiménez serving as municipal mayor.
Geographical Location
Like the Olancho department, Catacamas has many similarities. They are the largest municipality and department in Honduras. Catacamas covers an area of 7,228.5 km².
The city of Catacamas is located at approximately 14° 54′ 04″ North latitude and 85° 55′ 31″ West longitude. The municipality borders Gualaco, San Esteban, and Dulce Nombre del Culmí to the north; Patuca and Las Trojes, El Paraíso to the south; Dulce Nombre del Culmí and the department of Jinotega, Nicaragua to the east; and Santa María de El Real, San Francisco de Becerra, and Juticalpa to the west.
In this city, you can find the Cuevas de Talgua (Talgua Caves), two Catholic churches, and several churches of other denominations. Former Honduran President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales is from this city. Catacamas has various schools, as well as healthcare centers. The city is located 210 km from the capital, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C.
Villages
- Bacadia
- Concepción de Río Tinto
- El Cerro
- El Pataste
- La Bodega
- La Colonia Agrícola
- La Colonia de Poncaya
- La Cruz
- La Gloria del Pataste
- La Sosa
- Las Mesetas
- San José de Río Tinto
- San Pedro de Catacamas
- Siguate
Places of Interest
Located in a valley 450 meters above sea level, Catacamas is surrounded by the lush Piedra Blanca Mountain, part of the Sierra de Agalta National Park. The area is known for its diverse botanical species, including conifers, broadleaf plants, around 80 species and varieties of orchids, and a diverse fauna that includes felines and quetzals. To the west, there is the lower Bálsamo Mountain.
To the north and west, you can find the «Cerro de la Cruz» and the hill «El Cuartel,» among others, which provide the best panoramic views of the city, including the Polideportivo and Cultural «Ramón Díaz López» Park.
About 5 km to the east, you’ll find the world-famous Talgua Caves, discovered in 1994, where the «Luminous Skulls» were recently found, part of the skeletons of indigenous Pech people who lived there three thousand years ago.
About 6 km to the south, the auriferous Guayape River flows, which, together with the Guayambre River, forms the Patuca River, the second largest in the country after the Segovia River. The Entre Ríos Mountain Range, belonging to the Municipality of Catacamas, extends between them.
If you’re looking for a romantic spot, a visit to the Cerrito de la Cruz is a must. It has become a tradition for couples to gather in this place to enjoy the tranquility and romantic atmosphere it offers.
Due to its geographical position, Catacamas has become a tourist destination in Honduras. However, it also offers alternatives to visit the Sierra de Agalta National Park, serves as the gateway to the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve through Dulce Nombre de Culmí municipality, and the Patuca National Park.
Catacamas has a beautiful colonial church dedicated to San Francisco de Asís, and the Municipal Hall building still maintains its original architecture, typical of the rural Honduran environment. The city has two beautiful squares, and an imposing cross is built on top of a nearby hill, from which you can have an impressive view of the city and a large part of the Guayape Valley.
Currently, the Regional El Aguacate Airport has been constructed and inaugurated on what was formerly the El Aguacate Air Military Base of the Nicaraguan Counterrevolutionary Forces (Contras) and the CIA. Its runway is capable of receiving large aircraft.
The Guayape River has a legendary reputation for the significant amount of gold nuggets that have been extracted from its bed over the years. In fact, to this day, you can find people panning for gold in the river, an activity that provides them with the necessary income to sustain themselves. The rural environment of Catacamas is complemented by the presence of the National University of Agriculture (UNA) and El Sembrador School.
Economy
Catacamas is a municipality rich in dairy, meat, and basic grain production. Of the three productive sectors in the municipality (primary – agriculture and livestock, secondary – industry, and tertiary – services and commerce), the tertiary sector accounts for 45% of the gross value of production (GVP).
However, the municipality is still dominated by its productive rural areas. The livestock subsector, with an annual gross value of production of over 1.9 billion Lempiras, is the strongest productive subsector in the municipality. The main agricultural products include beans, corn, coffee, and cassava. The main industrial products, in addition to dairy production, include sand, blocks, sewing, and bread.
As for trends and innovations in the local economy of Catacamas, several other sectors have experienced new dynamism in recent years:
- The construction sector, for example, has been strengthened with new lotification/urbanization projects. Many houses and plots are purchased by people from Catacamas who live abroad or through their relatives.
- Another area of growth is the tourism sector. With the support of the German Cooperation, a public-private committee has recently been created to implement activities that strengthen this sector in a common strategy with the municipalities of Santa María del Real and Dulce Nombre del Culmí. Currently, work is underway to design eco-tourism routes and train providers of tourism services (guides, restaurants, hotels, etc.).
- In another innovative process, several coffee farms in the region are being certified with the Rainforest Alliance Certificate, a certificate for sustainably produced coffee. The certification allows for better prices for coffee while preserving nature.
Infrastructure
Catacamas has evolved in its appearance in recent years. The paving of its streets in the urban area has increased on most avenues, boulevards, main entrances, and commercial centers, with future projects that will improve the living conditions of its inhabitants.
In the rural area, the road communication routes have been paved, facilitating the mobility of small and large producers. For example, the road between the Municipality of Catacamas and Dulce Nombre del Culmí.
Road and Air Infrastructure
Paved road to the capital (Catacamas – Tegucigalpa 210 km) with connections to San Pedro Sula (Catacamas – San Pedro Sula 545 km) and the North Coast. All-weather dirt road to Dulce Nombre del Culmí (Catacamas – Culmí 40 km).
Dirt road to Dulce Nombre del Culmí and Patuca, passable all year round. El Aguacate Regional Airport with a runway of 2300 meters, currently in the paving phase of 1600 meters. The airport serves both military and civilian purposes since 2011.
Water and Sanitation
The construction of oxidation ponds is currently being planned to collect waste from the southern zone of the Municipality of Catacamas.
Communications
Telephone: Landline service provided by Hondutel and three mobile phone service providers: Tigo, Claro, and Olanchocel. Cable TV: Two cable TV providers (CAVICAT and Telecab). Satellite TV: One satellite TV provider (Sky). Local TV stations: Canal 45TV-HD, Encuentro TV, Canal 21, Canal 33, and Canal 30. Radio: 15 local radio stations, including Omega Stereo 100.3 FM, Galaxia Digital, Radio Difusora de Catacamas, among others, and 2 national stations (Radio América and Radio HRN). There is also a music and audio production company: KatrachoMusic.
Energy
The construction of a power substation is currently underway, which will significantly improve the deficient energy service due to increasing demand. Hydroelectric projects are being planned in the Talgua River in collaboration with ENERGISA.
The Piedras Amarillas Hydroelectric Project, also known as Patuca 3, is located in the eastern region of Honduras, specifically in the Olancho Department, between the municipalities of Catacamas and Patuca, about 5 km downstream from the confluence of the Guayape and Guayambre rivers.
Health
The city of Catacamas has a public maternity and emergency hospital, and there is also the private hospital «Hermano Pedro» affiliated with the Catholic Church.
Sports
In the city of Catacamas, you can find the Rubén Guifarro Municipal Stadium, with a capacity to accommodate more than 5,000 fans. This stadium is the home of the Atlético Olanchano team. As part of the sports projection of the authorities in Catacamas, an Olympic area is under construction, which will include a football field, a swimming pool, gyms, and other sports facilities, named «Área Olímpica José Manuel Zelaya Rosales.» Additionally, a «Polideportivo Ramón Díaz López» will be built. There is also a basketball, football, and volleyball court in the square in front of the San Francisco de Asís Parish.
Aeromodelling
In Catacamas, other sports such as aeromodelling are practiced, with the main headquarters being the El Aguacate Aerodrome. There is currently a representative club of Olancho, «Club de Aeromodelismo de Olancho TUCANES DE AGALTA,» affiliated with the «Honduran Aeronautics Federation,» under the presidency of Marlon Salgado, Vice President Luis Erazo, and Secretary Felix M. Hernández. Since 2012, this club, along with the Administration of El Aguacate Aerodrome directed by Ernesto Matamoros, has been organizing an annual event called TUCANES DE AGALTA, with the aim of promoting the Sport-Science and economically benefiting three Social Assistance Centers: Hogar de Ancianos San Fco de Asis, Centro Cristiano de Rehabilitación Compartiendo Juntos, and Comedor Infantil del Barrio La Trinidad.
This event has the presence of the Honduran Aeronautics Federation, the Tegucigalpa Aeromodelling Club, the H-Altura Xtrema Parachuting Club, and the Alas Aviation Flight School.
The event consists of aeromodel flights, aeromodel exhibitions, parachute jumps, and small plane rides over the city of Catacamas. In 2015, for the 4th consecutive year, it will be held during the second week of June. The club practices every Sunday at the El Aguacate Aerodrome.
Education
- Higher Education: National University of Agriculture
– Nuevo Milenio Evangelical Christian University (UCENM)
– Christian University of Honduras – UCRISH - Secondary Education: «18 de Noviembre» Technical Institute, Santidad Educational Institutions, Private Institute of the East, El Sembrador HOREB Institute, «Miguel Rafael Madrid» Institute, «CAB» Bilingual Institute, Catacamas Technological Institute, Catholic Christian Educational Center «San Francisco de Asís,» among others.
- Primary Education: «Policarpo Melara» Basic Education Center, Mixed Urban School «Profesor Pedro Nufio,» Emmanuel Evangelical School, Mixed Urban School «Concepción Amador,» Mixed Urban School «Felicita Navarro,» Huios Bilingual Christian School, «CAB» Bilingual Learning Center, Vida Abundante Christian School, Adventist School and Kindergarten Maranatha, among others.
Gastronomy
Catacamas is famous for its dairy products such as cheese, cream, and «vejiga» or «costal» butter. It is also known for its typical dishes, including the tapado olanchano, rice corn soup, cazuela, and the traditional nacatamales. During the Easter season, it is common to prepare dishes based on fish. On Good Friday, families often prepare dishes such as fried fish, fish soup, or fish in egg sauce, among others.
Another well-known aspect of its gastronomy is the delicious rosquillas (ring-shaped cookies), made by skilled artisans in the municipality. Another traditional food in Catacamas during Christmas is the preparation of «pastelitos,» made with dough and meat, sprinkled with sugar on top.
