Municipality of Pimienta
Pimienta is a municipality in the department of Cortés in Honduras.
In 1879, it was a small cluster of houses on the banks of the Ulúa River. In the national census of Honduras conducted in 1895, Pimienta was a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Potrerillos. It was granted municipality status on January 10, 1927, during the administration of President Miguel Paz Barahona.
Historically, a significant colony of Arab, Palestinian, and Central American citizens established their businesses and companies in Pimienta, mainly engaged in the distribution of goods for western Honduras via river routes, as well as intermediaries in the exploitation of various products from the western region.
General Information about Pimienta
Origin of its name: It was named after the abundance of pepper trees.
- Date of establishment: January 10, 1927
- Territorial area: 60.50 km2
- Elevation: 43 meters above sea level
- Patron Saint Fair: August 15, in honor of Our Lady of the Transit.
- Administrative Code (Geocode): 0504
- Villages: 2
- Hamlets: 29
History
The area of the national railway’s exploitation represents a significant part of Pimienta’s development, with a section of railway line, storage yards, and sources of employment for many railroad workers.
In 1879, Pimienta was a small cluster of houses on the banks of the Ulúa River. In the 1887 census, it was a village within the municipality of Villanueva.
In the National Census of Honduras conducted in 1895, Pimienta was a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Potrerillos.
In 1914, with the inauguration of the railway bridge, the Potrerillos area became fully connected, and Pimienta emerged as the leading commercial hub, as banana companies established their fruit payment offices there for San Manuel, Villanueva, and Potrerillos.
On June 7, 1934, under the municipal administration of Alfonso Pineda Torres, the Ulúa River experienced a massive flood that devastated the town of Pimienta, causing incalculable damage. As a result, in 1936, the population was relocated to a new site known as Nueva Pimienta.
Creation Decree
The municipality of Pimienta was created on January 10, 1927, during the administration of President Miguel Paz Barahona.
Considering the request submitted by Mr. Carlos Quintín Pineda, Mr. José Gamboa, and Mr. Lucio Ulloa, Auxiliary Mayors of the villages of Pimienta in the Municipality of Villanueva, Pimienta in the Municipality of Potrerillos, and the hamlet of Santiago in the Municipality of Villanueva, Department of Cortés, seeking the creation of the Municipality of Pimienta. It will be formed with the aforementioned villages and hamlets, with its headquarters in the village of Pimienta in Villanueva, due to having the necessary resources, population, and other suitable elements for this purpose. After hearing the opinion of the General Fiscal of Finance and considering that, based on the petitioners’ statements, confirmed by the Political Governor of the Department of Cortés, the creation of the Municipality of Pimienta is advisable.
Therefore: The President of the Republic, exercising the powers conferred upon him by Articles 2, 3, and 8 of the Municipal Law, resolves:
- To approve the request for the creation of the Municipality of Pimienta, with its headquarters in the village of Pimienta in Villanueva, along with the villages of Pimienta in the Municipality of Potrerillos and the hamlet of Santiago in the Municipality of Villanueva, located in the Department of Cortés.
- To authorize the Political Governor to establish the jurisdictional boundaries of the new Municipality, subject to the approval of the Executive Power.
- To stipulate that the local authorities shall be elected in the town of Potrerillos on the last Sunday of the following February, with the participation of the residents of the mentioned villages. The elected authorities shall take office on April 1 of the current year, in the presence of the Political Governor of the Department of Cortés.
- The election shall be held for one Mayor, one Councilor, and one Syndic. Communicate accordingly. Paz Barahona. The Secretary of State in the Office of Governance, Justice, and Health by Law, C. Colindres Zepeda.
On June 10, 1936, the municipality’s headquarters was relocated to an area called Zopilocoy, which was gifted by the Tela Railroad Company due to the flooding of the Ulúa River. This is stated in Part of Act No. 52 of the Political Governorship of the Department of Cortés. Therefore, the New Pimienta is formally and legally declared the head of the municipality with this name.
Location
The municipality is bathed by the Ulúa River at the southern end of the Sula Valley, and its headquarters is located on Zopilocoy Hill.
According to the Ministry of Governance, this municipality has a territorial extension of 60 km2. Currently, it has a population density of 306 inhabitants per km2. The municipality has 2 villages, 29 hamlets, and within its urban area, there are 33 neighborhoods. Across the entire municipality’s territory, there are 5,271 housing units, of which 18% are unoccupied.
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Topography
The municipality is located at the foot of the hill, allowing it to have a semi-flat surface.
Limits
- North: municipalities of San Manuel and Villanueva;
- South: municipality of Potrerillos;
- East: municipality of El Progreso (Yoro);
- West: municipality of Villanueva.
Hydrography
- Ulúa River
- Quinetes Creek
- Higuerito Lagoon
Climate
A warm climate predominates in the municipality for most of the year, with the hottest months being from March to June.
Orography
- La Tabla Mountain
- Zopiloco Hill
Flora and Fauna
In the municipality, there are dry and broad-leaved tropical forests, including oak, pine, mango, laurel, guanijiquil, and ceibo, among others. There is a diversity of ornamental plants and a large number of medicinal plants. As for wildlife, the municipality is home to snakes such as the coral snake, rattlesnake, vine snake, boa, as well as rabbits, agoutis, squirrels, armadillos, and opossums, among others.
Population
The municipality has a population of 18,557 inhabitants, of which 8,870 are men and 9,686 are women. 14,644 people live in the urban area, and 3,912 live in the rural area. In terms of population, it ranks 12th in the department, representing 1.2% of the total population. At the national level, it ranks 97th with 0.2% of the total population. 1.8% of the population belongs to an ethnic group.
In the last 10 years, 410 people have emigrated and live in another country. In this municipality, there are 10,297 people aged 18 and over, of which 93% have their identity cards. The municipality has an illiteracy rate of 11% and a primary education coverage of 94%, with an average of 6.1 years of schooling. Women head 31% of households, the masculinity index is 92 men per hundred women, and the elderly population (65+ years) represents 3.9% of the population.
Economy
- 42% Manufacturing industries
- 19% Agriculture, livestock, forestry, and fishing
- 10% Wholesale and retail trade, vehicle repair
- 7.4% Construction
- 5.3% Transportation and storage
- 16% Other activities
Maquila: High industrial development.
Agriculture
- Cultivation of bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, sugarcane, tobacco
Livestock
- Cattle, pigs, goats, ducks, rabbits
Handicraft Industry
- Bakery, basketry, ceramics, carpentry, and sweets
Tourism
Tangible Cultural Heritage
Just 3 km downstream, the Maya unit of Cerro Palenque is located. It has been inhabited for over 200 years and, as part of the Tangible Cultural Heritage, it is an archaeological site currently recognized as an Archaeological Monument.
Cerro El Palenque
The archaeological site is located south of the community of Santiago de Pimienta, along the famous Ulúa River.
The archaeological zone of Cerro El Palenque is extensive and complex in terms of its architectural characteristics and its relationship with other vestiges found not only within the current site but also in the surrounding areas. Excavations carried out by a group of researchers reveal the significance of the site, which can be projected as a strategic point for eco-tourism and educational development. The archaeological remains in the area are abundant and well-preserved.
