Macuelizo is a municipality in the department of Santa Bárbara, Honduras. It covers an area of and had a population of 34,401 inhabitants according to the 2013 national census. The municipality is situated in the fertile Quimistán Valley and is watered by the Culupa and Chamelecón Rivers. The Pan American Highway crosses the municipality. It has significant natural resources and mineral deposits, including gold and antimony.
History Records indicate that the first land titles in the present day municipality of Macuelizo were granted in 1779. The first reference to the municipality itself is from 1792, when proceedings were initiated for the establishment of a new settlement in the Valley of Macuelizo under the jurisdiction of San Pedro Sula. It was formally founded on 28 July 1794 under the name "Maculosus" and it originally belonged to the jurisdiction of Quimistán. The municipality was officially created on 29 July 1894 under the name "Valle de Maculoso", which simply became Maculoso later. The name is derived from the maceulizo (Tabebuia rosea) trees found in the region. In the late eighteenth century, the layout of the central square and streets were created, and the first municipal authorities were appointed.
Geography Macuelizo is located in the southern part of the department of Santa Bárbara in western Honduras. It borders the municipalities of Azacualpa and Nueva Frontera to the north, San Luis and Protección to the south, Quimistán and San Marcos to the east, and Florida to the west. It also shares a land border with Guatemala. The municipality is spread over an area of and an average elevation of above sea level. The municipality lies in the fertile Quimistán Valley and is traversed by the Culupa and Chamelecón River. It has significant natural resources and mineral deposits, including gold and antimony. The Pan American Highway crosses the municipality.
Administrative divisions The municipality comprises 29 aldeas (villages) and their associated caseríos (hamlets).
+Aldeas (villages) of Macuelizo Aldea Population Men Women Macuelizo (municipal seat) 3,742 1,758 1,983 Agua Helada 228 114 114 Aldea Nueva 267 141 125 Buena Vista 521 268 253 Callejones o La Libertad 2,847 1,363 1,484 Casa Quemada 1,715 891 825 Chiquila 1,565 798 767 El Ciruelo 4,449 2,193 2,256 El Manguito 353 167 186 El Pital 1,201 632 569 El Rosario 1,550 793 756 La Cumbre de Palmichal 1,044 522 521 Cunta 438 219 219 La Flecha 3,871 1,855 2,016 La Vegona 366 195 171 La Virtud 295 142 153 Laguna Seca 77 41 36 Las Delicias 358 182 176 Las Flores 254 133 120 Las Varas 459 216 243 Mata de Plátano 902 506 397 Ojos de Agua 347 193 155 Piñuelas 338 168 171 Río Blanco 1,549 794 755 Sabanetas 590 274 316 San Antonio de la Cumbre 833 420 414 San Antonio de Macuelizo 232 105 127 Sula 3,394 1,591 1,803 Zapotalito 616 308 308 Total 34,401 16,983 17,418
Demographics According to the 2013 census, Macuelizo had a population of 34,401 inhabitants of whom 16,983 (49.4%) were male and 17,418 (50.6%) were female. The population has grown steadily since the twentieth century, increasing from 26,919 inhabitants in 2001 to 34,401 in 2013. Of the total population, 13,643 (39.7%) lived in the urban and 20,758 (60.3%) in the rural area. By broad age group, 35.7% of the population were aged 0–14, 58.3% were aged 15–64, and 6.0% were aged 65 and over. The median age was 20.8 years and the mean age was 25.8 years. Of the population, 0.86% were classified as Indigenous and rest as non-indigenous. Among the population aged 15 and over (22,115 persons), the illiteracy rate was 20.6% against the department average of 22.2%.
The 2013 census recorded 9,646 private dwellings in the municipality, of which 7,636 were occupied. The average household size in occupied private dwellings was 4.4 persons. Of the 9,646 private dwellings, 9,056 (93.9%) were classified as independent houses (casas independientes). Of the occupied private dwellings, 6,437 (84.3%) were owner-occupied, 671 (8.8%) were rented, and 411 (5.4%) were borrowed or ceded without payment. Of the 7,636 occupied private dwellings, 4,150 (54.4%) obtained water from the public system. About 4,124 dwellings (54.0%) had access to piped water within the dwelling and 2,719 (35.6%) had piped water outside the dwelling but within the property. Of 7,636 occupied private dwellings, 7,153 (93.7%) had access to electric lighting, of which 6,479 were connected to the public electricity system. For cooking energy, 5,834 dwellings (76.4%) used firewood (leña) as their primary fuel, 1,123 (14.7%) used propane gas, and 414 (5.4%) used electricity.
Economy The economy of Macuelizo is primarily based on agriculture, livestock rearing, commerce, and mining activities. Agricultural produce from the region include beans, rice, maize, coffee, sugarcane, and tobacco. The fertile lands of the Quimistán Valley support extensive cultivation and cattle rearing. Mining also plays a significant role in the local economy. Gold deposits are mined in the aldea of Chiquilá, while iron ore is found in Sierra and antimony in La Concordia. Sand mined from the Culupa River and used for construction in the surrounding region. There is a hydroelectric dam on the Chamelecon River.
Culture The municipality celebrates its annual festival in September in honour of its patron Saint Michael. Festivities include religious ceremonies, parades, horseback riding events, and traditional fairs.
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