Municipality of San Francisco Lempira
San Francisco is a municipality in the Department of Lempira in Honduras.
The lands for the municipality were donated by the King of Spain on October 30, 1692, consisting of two titles, Santa Maria Magdalena and San Lucas. In the first population census of 1791, it appears as part of the curato of Cerquin.
History
It was founded in 1837 by the initiative of Captain Jerónimo Acosta. In 1856, the historical church left by the Spaniards was built. In the territorial political division of 1896, it was one of the municipalities of the Erandique District. In the year 1800, the town of Copante was decimated by epidemics such as malaria and cholera.
Rafael Gámez, a landowner and resident of the area, proposed to the inhabitants that he could donate a plot of land on the slopes of the «Gelpoa» hill for the establishment of the population, under the condition that his son Florencio Gámez be accepted as the mayor. The proposal was approved, the population was relocated, and it was given the name «San Francisco,» which it is currently known as.
Geography
The main town is located at the foot of the aforementioned hill. To reach the main town, one must cross mountains and hills, gradually descending until reaching an elevation that is not suitable for coffee cultivation. The vegetation belongs to the dry tropical forest. The climate is quite hot for most of the year.
Boundaries
The municipality of San Francisco has the following boundaries: to the north with the municipality of Erandique; to the south with the department of Intibucá. To the east also with the department of Intibucá; to the west with the municipalities of Erandique and Piraera.
- Land area: 133 km²
Resources
In this municipality, the main crops are corn and beans. There are only a few areas where coffee can grow. Drinking water is obtained from wells and some nearby streams. It has electricity and mobile communication services. The streets in the main town are gradually being paved (with stones). Some businesses have internet access. Commerce is an activity that generates significant income, and there is a variety of grocery stores.
Population
It is more common to see people of indigenous descent, followed by mestizo people.
- Population: This municipality had approximately 11,000 inhabitants in 2014, and it is expected to have a population of 14,623 in 2020.
- Villages: 7
- Hamlets: 86
Tourism
An interesting fact is the date on the facade of the church, which shows 1737, although it was mentioned earlier that it was built in 1856. If coming from Gracias, two routes can be taken in San Juan del Caite: one leads to San Miguelito, Intibuca, and the other to Erandique.
In one of the towers of the old church, there are four silver and bronze bells that were built on-site, according to accounts from older residents. There are 2 hotels with cable television system.
- Patron Saint Fair: July 16th, the day of the Virgen Del Carmen, and October 4th, the day of San Francisco de Asís.
