Municipality of Orica
It is a municipality in the department of Francisco Morazán, in the Republic of Honduras.
The first written records date back to 1582, in the report of Governor Alonso de Contreras Guevara, where it is mentioned as a town of indigenous people with sixteen tributaries entrusted to the Crown (His Majesty).
In 1700, the King of Spain granted a royal title for the ejidos (common lands) of Orica. In the ecclesiastical census of 1791, it is listed as a parish of the Cedros district, and in the political territorial division of 1889, it is already listed as a municipality.
General Information about Orica
Origin of its name: In Mesoamerican language, it means «near the house of ointment,» referring to the turpentine or resin of trees.
- Territorial area: 344.08 km2
- Population: 11,208 inhabitants (2012)
- Date of creation: 1889
- Patron Saint Celebration: October 4th, in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
- Villages and hamlets: 7 villages and 84 hamlets.
- Elevation: 900 meters above sea level.
Main Economic Activity
Cultivation of staple crops, sugarcane, coffee, and vegetables; raising of cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs; poultry farming.
Infrastructure
- Health: 1 CESAMO and 3 CESAR
- Education: 47 primary education centers, 15 pre-primary education centers, and 2 secondary education centers.
Location
Located in the Guarabuquí Valley, adjacent to the department of Olancho.
Limits
- North: municipalities of Mangulile (Olancho) and Yoro (Yoro);
- South: municipality of Guaimaca;
- East: municipalities of Guayape and Yocón (both in Olancho);
- West: municipalities of San Ignacio and Marale.
