La Ceiba
| La Ceiba | ||
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La Ceiba Municipality in 2007
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| Nickname(s): La novia de Honduras (Honduras' girlfriend/bride) | ||
 La Ceiba
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| Coordinates: 15°46′N 86°50′W / 15.767°N 86.833°W | ||
| Country |
 Honduras
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| Department | Atlántida | |
| Founded | 23 August 1877 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Carlos Aguilar | |
| Area | ||
| • City | 640 km2 (250 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 25 km2 (4,251 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | |
| Population (2015) | ||
| • City | 204,140 | |
| • Density | 320/km2 (830/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | Central America (UTC-6) | |
| Climate | Af | |
| Website | municipalidadlaceiba |
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La Ceiba (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈseiβa]) is a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. It is located on the southern edge of the Caribbean, forming part of the south eastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras. With an estimated population of over 200,000 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios), it is the third largest city in the country and the capital of the Honduran department of Atlántida. La Ceiba was officially founded on 23 August 1877. The city was named after a giant ceiba tree which grew near the old dock. The dock itself finally fell into the sea in late 2007. The city has been officially proclaimed the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras" as well as the "Entertainment Capital of Honduras". Every year, on the third or fourth Saturday of May, the city holds its famous carnival to commemorate Isidore the Laborer (Spanish San Isidro Labrador). During this time, the city is host to approximately 500,000 tourists.
In 1872 Manuel Hernandez built a small shack under the Ceiba tree that was at one point by the old docks. Over time, more and more people from all over present-day Honduras (especially the departments of Olancho and Santa Barbara), and from around the world settled in La Ceiba. These people were attracted by the cultivation of bananas that became popular in the region. In the late 19th century, the banana business caught the attention of big North American banana companies such as the Vaccaro Brothers' Standard Fruit Company from New Orleans. This new economic activity attracted national and international immigrants to La Ceiba. The current neighbourhood known as Barrio Ingles was the first recognised neighbourhood in the city and was named so because of the number of English speaking people living in the barrio. At that point the main thorougfare of La Ceiba was present-day Avenida La Republica, which is where the train tracks were set. These train tracks were built by the Standard Fruit Company (now Standard Fruit de Honduras, a Dole subsidiary). This company was largely responsible for the early growth of the city.
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