Municipality of San Francisco de Yojoa
San Francisco de Yojoa is a municipality in the department of Cortés in Honduras.
This municipality changed its name up to three times, first appearing in 1840 as the village El Guaro, then it was named Ojos de Agua, and later it was called San Francisco. Attempts to become a municipality were denied in 1844, and it was not until three years later in 1887, that it was given the status of municipality in the administrative management of Luis Bográn.
Origin of its name: in honor of its patron saint, San Francisco.
General information about San Francisco de Yojoa
- Creation date: July 18, 1884
- Land area: 96 km2
- Altitude: 280 masl
- Patronal Fair: October 4, day of Saint Francis.
- Administrative Code (Geocode): 0508
- Villages: 9
- Hamlets: 67
History
This municipality changed its name three times, first appearing in 1840 as the village El Guaro, then it was named Ojos de Agua, and later it was called San Francisco. Paulino Fernández, a resident of the city of Santa Bárbara, lived in the village named El Guaro, where he arrived in 1840 and bought a piece of land called El Jobo Gacho, which he later sold and bought another piece of land named Ojo de Agua. With his closest relatives, he populated the village that they also called Ojos de Agua.
When General Inspector Francisco López arrived there, they decided by mutual agreement to change the name of the village to San Francisco. This village depended on the municipality of Yojoa, a town belonging to the department of Santa Bárbara.
In 1880, that village was annexed to the municipality of Talpetate (San Antonio de Cortés) and three years later, it was separated from that municipality to annex it to Santa Cruz de Yojoa. In 1883 until 1887, an agreement issued by the Political Governorship of the Department of Santa Bárbara, it was erected as the municipality of San Francisco de Yojoa.
Location
This municipality is located to the south of the department and is crossed by the Río Blanco.
See on Google Maps
Limits
- North: municipality of San Antonio Cortés;
- South: municipality of Santa Cruz de Yojoa;
- East: municipality of Santa Cruz de Yojoa;
- West: municipality of Ilama (Santa Bárbara).
Topography
The area of Lake Yojoa is one of the most geologically diverse areas in the country. In the North, there are large expanses of volcanic rocks from the Quaternary period (10,000 to 2.5 million years ago) that are identified as Yojoa volcanic rocks. A very particular feature in the high area to the North of the Lake is the presence of low-density rock (volcanic foam).
Topographically, there are variable slopes, greater than 20% on the southern hill slopes and, over the Amapá Valley there are gentle slopes of 1 to 3%. The whole area is part of the Río Blanco basin which is a tributary of the Río Ulúa.
The terrain within the Lake Yojoa basin has gentle undulations, being more abrupt in the hills Los Volcanes and Babilonia located to the North.
Within the basin, the water surface of Lake Yojoa is the lowest level with 632 masl (meters above sea level). Cerro Babilonia is the prominent point located north of Lake Yojoa, with 1,093 masl (meters above sea level).
Hydrography
- Río Blanco
Flora and Fauna
Flora
There are 802 species of plants registered for the Lake Yojoa region, belonging to 141 families. It records 169 species of ferns, 71 species of aquatic plants, 46 species of orchids. 64% of the registered species are in the sub-montane zone around the lake.
There is a variation in the floristic composition of the area based on altitude, geology and soil type, precipitation, and greater diversity is found in the areas south of the Amapá valley and on the slopes of the Babilonia hill up to Lake Yojoa.
Fauna
The ecological diversity is reflected in a high biological diversity, keeping significant percentages of all fauna groups:
Birds: The 400 bird species reported for the lake region represent 55% of the birds of Honduras. Of these, 66 species are aquatic birds that represent 88% of the freshwater birds of Honduras.
There is a high record of bird species in the sector, although a detailed inventory has not been carried out. Various species of aquatic birds are identified in the permanent bodies of water over the Amapá Valley, and the fish farming projects have also attracted various species of herons.
Mammals: 54 species are reported in the lake area, representing 23.6% of the mammals of Honduras. The ecosystem to the south of the area presents similar conditions to those of the Lake Yojoa region, thus there is a high diversity in mammal species.
Reptiles: The lake area holds 43.6% of the reptiles of Honduras with 72 species. The area houses a variety of reptiles also induced by the conditions of the environment.
Fish: 29 species of fish are registered. The Amapá valley area has been influenced by the species present in Lake Yojoa, due to the transfer of water by hydroelectric projects. In addition, currently, a greater quantity of tilapias is observed in the Río Blanco, coming from the fish farming projects in the area.
Amphibians: The 31 amphibian species reported for the lake region represent 42.2% of the amphibians. The humid climate of the area is suitable for them; three endemic species of salamanders are reported.
Population
The municipality has a total population of 21,955 inhabitants; of which 10,805 are men, 11,149 are women, 13,918 live in the urban area and 8,036 live in the rural area. Based on its population, it ranks #11 in the department, with 1.4% of the population, and #76 in the country with 0.3% of the total population. 0.6% of the population belong to an ethnic group.
In the last 10 years, 284 people have emigrated and live in another country. In this municipality, there are 12,472 people aged 18 years and over, of which 93% have their identity card. This municipality has a 13% illiteracy rate and a primary school coverage of 94%, with an average of 6.3 years of study. Women heads of households represent 27% of households, the masculinity index is 97 men for every hundred women, and the elderly population (65+ years) represents 5.2% of the population.
Economy
Agriculture
The municipality has suitable conditions for the development of sugarcane cultivation, which has expanded, taking over areas previously used for livestock and other agricultural crops, which have been reduced to a minimum or have disappeared. The soil fertility is quite high, and surface water resources are abundant.
Large agricultural exploitations have developed in the area. The type of cultivation has been changing from banana plantations to sugarcane crops in recent years.
Currently, companies dedicated to the planting of sugarcane extend their cultivation areas every year, occupying lands that were previously used for livestock.
- Banana, Orange, Pineapple, Sugarcane, Coffee, Basic grains, Banana
Livestock
- Cattle, Pigs, Horses, Rabbits, Ducks, Turkeys, Sheep.
Industry
Yojoa Sugar Mill, S.A. owns the Río Lindo Sugar Mill, located in the municipality of San Francisco de Yojoa, Cortés, a few kilometers from the Río Lindo community. At the same time, Yojoa Sugar Mill S.A. (AYSA) owns 955 blocks of sugarcane cultivation.
The mill’s crushing capacity is 4,000 tons of sugarcane per day. In total, about 560,000 quintals of sugar are produced per productive cycle.
Yojoa Sugar Mill, S.A. (AYSA): the operation of the Río Lindo Sugar Mill and the cultivation and harvest of sugarcane in its own plantations. There are also independent producers to whom Yojoa Sugar Mill S.A. (AYSA) provides technical assistance and buys the sugarcane produced.
Two products are obtained from the sugarcane process:
- White refined sugar
- Brown refined sugar
- Molasses
- Electric power
In addition to sugar manufacturing, the Río Lindo sugar mill supports the operation of a cogeneration power system with sugarcane bagasse. Currently, 8 MW of electric power is produced during the harvest period, of which a portion is used for the operation of the mill equipment and the rest is sold to the ENEE.
Many residents of the sector depend on artisanal fishing for their own consumption, especially in the waters of Río Lindo/Blanco and Lake Yojoa, where fish such as Tilapia from the facilities of the fish farming companies in the area are obtained.
In addition, there are companies dedicated to the cultivation of Tilapia, such as Agua Corporation and the Special Tilapia Project S.A. (PETISA), a fish farming company with tilapia cultivation for export and food processing center, the latter belonging to Yojoa Sugar Mill, S, A. (AYSA); a textile / maquila company, Caracol Knits, and several poultry farms for fattening chickens and commercial egg-laying hens.
Tourism
Tourist activity has developed in the Lake Yojoa area, which includes hotels and restaurants. Since not everyone prefers seawater, the local bathing resorts are an alternative to enjoy the Easter holiday.
San Francisco de Yojoa is an area that boasts a variety of bathing resorts. Unlike other places, the resorts in this municipality are natural, very cold water pools that come from springs, compensating for the high temperatures. In San Francisco, you can visit the resorts of Las Gradas, Pulhapanzak, El Nacimiento, Cabo Cañaveral, and others.
One of them is Cabo Cañaveral, located in San Francisco de Yojoa, an hour and a half away from San Pedro Sula. Tourists receive personalized attention there. This place already has a small hotel for those who wish to stay and enjoy nature.
The busiest day is Sunday when more than forty buses arrive. In this place, families can enjoy à la carte food, buffet, and other treats. If you decide to continue your tour, another ideal recreational place within the same area is Pulhapanzak.
- The Municipal Laundries
- El Paraíso Resort: Located in the village of Rio Lindo
- Cabo Cañaveral Resort: Located in La Unión neighborhood, in the El Cañaveral community.
- Municipal La Aurora Resort: Located in Aurora Colony.
- Municipal Rio Lindo Resort: Located in the village of Rio Lindo.
- San Juan del Rio Resort: Located in the Subirana neighborhood, village of Rio Lindo.
