Juigalpa
| Juigalpa | ||
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 Juigalpa
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| Coordinates: 12°6′N 85°22′W / 12.100°N 85.367°W | ||
| Country | Nicaragua | |
| Department | Chontales | |
| Municipality | Juigalpa | |
| Founded | April 24, 1668 | |
| Government | ||
| • Elect Mayor 2008 | Augusto Ayala Calero (PLC) | |
| Area | ||
| • Municipality | 1,037 km2 (400 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 116.85 m (383.37 ft) | |
| Population | ||
| • Municipality | 71,320 | |
| • Density | 49.5/km2 (128/sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 16,624 | |
Juigalpa (Spanish pronunciation: [xwiˈɣalpa]) is the capital city of the Chontales Department of Nicaragua. It is located within the municipality of Juigalpa, approximately 140 km east of Managua on Carretera Rama, in the central region of Nicaragua.
Juigalpa has a population of 71,320 people (surrounding areas included) and extends for 1,037 km², with a population density of 50 /km² (La Prensa 2002).
In 1659, mayor Jeronimo Villegas requested land from a Spanish government representative, Sebastian Alvarez, for the foundation of a town. This request was granted on April 24, 1668. On June 11, 1877, Juigalpa was declared the department capital for the second and last time after a 19-year dispute with Acoyapa. Juigalpa was elevated to the status of a city on January 27, 1879. The name Juigalpa means “land abundant of jicaro,” and “origin of black snails” in an Indian tongue. The city was used as a stop-over point for miners and farmers from the surrounding area.
Juigalpa sits within a valley in the Amerrisque Mountains. The Carretera passes through the lowest parts of the city with the elevation rising on both sides. Higher points throughout the city provide clear views of the Amerrisque mountains.
Juigalpa is home to many branches of Nicaraguan and Central American universities.
In comparison to other parts of Nicaragua, Juigalpa is rather prosperous. The department of Chontales produces 90% of the beef in Nicaragua, and is the dominant industry in the region. Because Juigalpa is the largest city in the region, it has many commerce and service sector businesses as well.
As the largest city in the south-central region of Nicaragua, Juigalpa has various entertainment options. Plaza Mayor or Main Square is the main venue in the city for it is surrounded by the Cathedral, the main public buildings, shops, restaurants, and bars. Students and children hang out or play around the band stand in the early afternoons while families and visitors come out in the evening for a stroll, hang around the fountain, or to have dinner across the street. Peatonal Asunción _a pedestrianized street_ is a brand new addition to the city's attractions with a fountain, benches, plenty of shade trees, and coffeeshops, ice cream parlors, and leathergood stores. About four blocks north of Plaza Mayor there is Palo Solo Park a neatly manicured overlook on a hill with great views of the city and the surrounding Amerrisque Mountains, and a restaurant that specializes in some of the best, organic prime beef in the country with a view.
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Wikipedia