Municipality of La Union
La Unión is a municipality in the department of Lempira in Honduras.
It was formerly known as the village of Pueblo Nuevo, under the jurisdiction of El Conal, now San Rafael. The municipality was created on May 3, 1916, during the administration of President Francisco Bertrand.
Geography
This municipal center is located in what appears to be a large basin surrounded by very tall mountains. Despite being at a high elevation, the vegetation is not exclusive to pine trees, as broadleaf trees can also be seen, and the climate is not as cool as one would expect.
Boundaries
La Unión has the following boundaries: to the north with the Santa Bárbara department; to the south with the municipalities of San Rafael and La Iguala. To the east, it also borders the Santa Bárbara department; to the west with the municipality of La Iguala.
- Territorial extension: 84 km²
It is located approximately 60 km from the colonial city of Gracias following the main road towards San Rafael and La Iguala. Three kilometers before reaching San Rafael, there is a left turn, and from that point, it is another 13 km to reach La Unión.
The other route is through the Santa Bárbara department as follows: Santa Bárbara-El Níspero-San Jerónimo-San Rafael-La Unión. The first three are in the previous department.
Resources
It is a very prosperous municipal center due to coffee cultivation and being a collection center for coffee. The collection takes place in the municipal center, where several processing facilities are located. The surrounding areas are where the farms are cultivated. The cultivation of corn and beans is essential, as in other municipalities.
Most of the livestock farming and dairy products are for local consumption. There is a bilingual school and a private clinic. Water is supplied through elevated tanks, and there has been electricity since 1999. Mobile telecommunications services (Claro and Tigo) and many businesses are available. Bus transportation services are more common to the Santa Bárbara department than to the city of Gracias.
Population
For La Unión, the majority are mestizos, among whom there are a considerable number of individuals with fair complexions.
- Population: In 2001, this municipality had 9,800 people. According to INE estimates, there will be 15,759 in 2014.
- Villages: 6
- Hamlets: 43
- Neighborhoods: 6
Tourism
The municipal center of La Unión is undoubtedly a very pleasant place to visit, as the surrounding mountains are imposing, dense, and green.
The town has cobbled streets, and there is a viewpoint from which one can see how much this municipal center has grown. Approximately 5 km from the municipal center, there is the Quiscamote Cave, a beautiful place to visit. There are several places with Internet access and many small grocery stores.
- Fiesta patronal: March 4th, the day of the Divine Shepherdess.
- June 29th, Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
