Municipality of San Jeronimo
San Jerónimo is a municipality in the department of Comayagua in Honduras.
Before its foundation, the municipality was known as San Jerónimo del Espino.
The municipality of San Jerónimo emerged in 1897 on the banks of the Churune River, currently known as Fecora or Colonia Concepción, the place from which its founders originated.
In 1878, due to population growth, Espino became a municipality with the establishment of its municipal town hall. The first mayor was Félix Dubon Calderón. Years later, small plots of land were given to inhabitants who did not own land so they could work on it. During the same period, a collection was made among the community members to purchase the land that now forms part of the urban center of the municipality of San Jerónimo.
This land was bought from Miss Sara Gamez for 600 Lempiras, an heir of Spanish priests residing in Comayagua. The land was distributed among all the inhabitants of this community.
On July 1, 1892, under the constitutional presidency of Ponciano Leiva and with Lino Castro as the municipal mayor, the municipality was granted an ejidal land. In 1906, it was officially declared as San Jerónimo. By 1911, the municipal corporation obtained a deed for 35½ caballerías, which included villages and hamlets such as Ocotes Caídos, Plan de Leones, Las Arenas, and Las Crucitas. This ejidal land represents the largest surface area in the municipality.
General Aspects
- Population: There are 21,688 (2015) inhabitants, with 1,786 in the urban population and 13,761 in the rural population.
- Population Density: The approximate population density is 95 people per square kilometer.
- Unemployment: Out of 351 surveyed individuals, 294 are employed in various economic activities, while 57 are unemployed. This means that 84% of the population is employed and 16% is unemployed.
- Birth Rate: Up until September, 63 children have been born in the municipality.
- Mortality Rate: In 2005, 17 people died.
- Morbidity: The most common diseases are influenza, cough, dengue, and chikungunya.
- Family Units: There are approximately 351 families in the municipality of San Jerónimo.
Boundaries
- North: Municipality of La Libertad
- South: Municipality of Comayagua
- East: Municipality of Esquías
- West: Municipalities of La Trinidad and El Rosario
Climate
The climate is warm in the summer months, with temperatures reaching up to 35 °C. During the cold season, temperatures can drop to 18 °C, accompanied by heavy rainfall, especially in the mountainous area.
- Elevation: 486 meters above sea level
Precipitation
The rainiest months are from May to October, particularly in the mountainous area. The humidity from these rains prevents the soil from drying out.
Flora and Fauna
There is a diversity of flora, including almond, mango, guanacaste, oak, nance, avocado, picus, liquidambar, eucalyptus, naked Indian, mahogany, and pine (mainly in the mountainous area).
Topography
The area around the municipality is generally irregular, with mountains and hills.
Hydrography
Rivers
- Churune River
- Cacahuapa River
- Grande River
- Castilla River
- Rancho River
- Humuya River
Lagoons
There is only one lagoon, Las Crucitas, located in the community of Las Crucitas.
Streams
The draining streams are:
- El Muerto – La Quebradota – Zarca
- Las Dantas – Las Cañas – Zuncuya
- El Dantil – Honda – Los Lirios
- El Zorrillo – Seca – El Zapote
Springs
- Ojo De Agua
- Montaña De Comayagua
- La Ceibita
Brooks
- Capulina
- Cangos
Streams
- Chorros Jamalteca
- Wanchias (Cuevas)
- La Cuchilla
Orography
The Montecillos mountain range runs through the municipality of San Jerónimo, covering an area of 2,407 meters.
Mountains
- PANACOMA (Montaña De Comayagua)
- La Choca Mountain
Hills
- Peladientes Hill
- Mico Quemado Hill
Valleys
- El Espino Valley
- Comayagua Valley
Transportation
The municipality has accessible paved roads, as well as satellite signal for cell phones and internet connectivity.
Economy
Agriculture and Livestock
In the rural area, agriculture and livestock are the predominant activities. Approximately 20% of the total land area is used for annual crops. The majority of land tenure is distributed among 74.5% of the farms and covers 96% of the total land area of the municipality. Agriculture represents 1.02% of the total area of the department.
Main Crops
The main crops include maize, beans, and oriental products such as eggplant, mango, and cucumber.
- Coffee Avocado
- Annatto Mango
- Orange Wood Trees (Pine and Oak)
Secondary Crops
- Annatto – Cotton
- Sorghum – Tangerine
- Eggplant – Orange
Agricultural Data
- Agricultural Production: This represents 8.35% of the total production within the municipality and 0.28% of the department.
- Agricultural Productivity: In the rural area, approximately 29% of the land is used for annual crops, which are cultivated according to their production capacity.
- Agricultural Calendar: The first planting season occurs from May to mid-July, with the planting of beans and maize. The second planting season occurs from late July to late October. The coffee crop takes place from October to February during the coffee harvesting season.
Livestock
- Pig Farming: Raising pigs for consumption or trade.
- Equine: Breeding horses, mares, donkeys, and mules.
- Cattle: Raising cows and bulls for milk and meat production.
Commerce
In the municipality of San Jerónimo, products are exported and imported by individual traders and medium-sized entrepreneurs. The types of businesses in the area include 25 stores or «pulperías,» hardware stores, clothing and footwear stores, a gas station with a variety store, three restaurants, and four small candy shops.
Manufacturing Industry
There is manufacturing of saddlery, producing belts and scabbards for machetes. Local artisans work with clay, producing tiles, bricks, jars, and pots. They also produce clothing items. The raw materials used by the artisans come from the local area.
