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Chinandega | |
|---|---|
Municipality | |
 Chinandega main roundabout. | |
 Flag  Seal | |
  Chinandega Location in Nicaragua | |
| Coordinates:12°37′N87°09′W / 12.617°N 87.150°W /12.617; -87.150 | |
| Country |  Nicaragua |
| Department | Chinandega Department |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 687 km2 (265 sq mi) |
| Population (2022 estimate)[1] | |
• Municipality | 137,539 |
| • Density | 200/km2 (520/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 115,067(6th Nicaragua) |
Chinandega (Spanish pronunciation:[tʃinanˈdeɣa]) is a city and the departmental seat ofChinandegadepartment inNicaragua. It is also the administrative centre of the surroundingmunicipality of the same name. It is Nicaragua's 2nd most important city (economy) and 6th largest city, with a population of 115,067 (2022 estimate),[2] and a total of 137,539 in the municipality.[1] It is located about 134 kilometres (83 mi) northwest ofManagua and about 72 kilometres (45 mi) southwest ofEl Guasaule, on the border withHonduras. Chinandega is situated about 20 kilometres (12 mi) from the Pacific Ocean.
The city is served byChinandega Airport.
The region around Chinandega produces agricultural products, particularlyoil,flour,peanuts,shrimp, andsugarcane, and distilledliquors.
The city's weather is warm and humid due to its location at a low altitude inthe tropics.
Located near the Nicaraguan border withHonduras, Chinandega sits on the CA-1 (Pan-American Highway). The department of Chinandega is 4,929 square kilometres (1,903 sq mi) in area and has a population of 378,970 distributed among thirteen municipalities: Chinandega (department seat),El Viejo,Corinto,Chichigalpa,Posoltega,El Realejo,Puerto Morazán,Villanueva,Somotillo,Santo Tomás del Norte,San Juan de Cinco Pinos,San Pedro del Norte andSan Francisco del Norte.
The department has numerous beaches, natural reserves, historic towns,mangroves, and ancient churches; the volcano ofSan Cristóbal, the highest in Nicaragua, can be found here, as well as the other volcanoes of the San Cristóbal complex (El Chonco,Moyotepe, andCasita), and further east, the peninsula-formingCosigüina volcano.
Chinandega is a center of agriculture growingsugarcane,bananas,peanuts,sesame seeds,cashews, oranges, and grains. It is ashrimping and fishing center and it manufactures salt and leather goods. The city is also home to the largest sugar mills and rum factory (Flor de Caña) in the country.[3]
Natives of the department includeSalomón Ibarra Mayorga, writer of thenational anthem of Nicaragua;Tino López Guerra, composer of "Rey del Corrido"; the priestTomás Ruiz, and athletesVicente Padilla andPróspero González.
This area typically has a pronounced dry season. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Chinandega has atropical savanna climate, abbreviated "Aw" on climate maps.[4]
| Climate data for Chinandega (1971–1990) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 34.5 (94.1) | 35.4 (95.7) | 36.1 (97.0) | 36.4 (97.5) | 34.2 (93.6) | 32.6 (90.7) | 33.4 (92.1) | 33.2 (91.8) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.9 (89.4) | 32.4 (90.3) | 33.4 (92.1) | 33.8 (92.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.4 (79.5) | 27.2 (81.0) | 28.0 (82.4) | 28.7 (83.7) | 27.9 (82.2) | 26.6 (79.9) | 26.9 (80.4) | 26.8 (80.2) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.1 (79.0) | 26.1 (79.0) | 26.9 (80.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.9 (66.0) | 19.4 (66.9) | 20.6 (69.1) | 22.3 (72.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 22.2 (72.0) | 22.2 (72.0) | 22.3 (72.1) | 22.1 (71.8) | 21.1 (70.0) | 19.6 (67.3) | 21.4 (70.5) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 1 (0.0) | 0 (0) | 7 (0.3) | 14 (0.6) | 309 (12.2) | 313 (12.3) | 193 (7.6) | 271 (10.7) | 404 (15.9) | 330 (13.0) | 63 (2.5) | 84 (3.3) | 1,988 (78.3) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 1.0 mm) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 105 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 265.3 | 248.5 | 261.8 | 206.8 | 183.7 | 168.2 | 204.2 | 199.9 | 173.9 | 204.2 | 211.0 | 255.2 | 2,582.7 |
| Source:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration[5] | |||||||||||||
The city of Chinandega has been nicknamed "the City of Oranges" (Ciudad de las Naranjas) and "the Hot City" (Ciudad Cálida). Its name is ofNahuatl origin; although its exact meaning is disputed, it may come from the wordsChinamitl-tacalt, "place surrounded by reeds."[6][7][8][9]
Chinandega was a small city during thecolonial era, but its location among fertile flatlands and its position as a commercial center led to its eventual rise in importance. The Spanish chronicler FriarAntonio Vázquez Espinoza in his compendium and description of theWest Indies described his 1613 visit to Chinandega:[6]
"The town of Chinandega is comprised of many Indians, plentiful corn, and all of the fruits of the earth, and appears to be a piece of paradise."
Officially a settlement (poblado) from 1796, the city was planned by engineer Antonio Rojas. On March 30, 1835, a law was instituted that established a fair on December 8 of every year.
On March 15, 1836, during the government ofJosé Núñez, it received the title of town (villa), and on September 2, 1839, it received the title of city.
On November 1, 1998, Chinandega was hit by massive flooding caused byHurricane Mitch. The flooding resulted in many thousands of people losing their homes, as well as damages to infrastructure which had not been repaired as of 2009.
In accordance with its colonial past and colonial-era urban planning, the city is centered around a central park with theRomanesque-style Our Lady Santa Ana Colonial Church. It has withstood over a century of violent storms, earthquakes, and wars. The church was severely affected by an earthquake in 1885, and was later rebuilt into its current state. This is not the location of the original building in the seventeenth century, however. According to documents from Bishop Morel of Santa Cruz dated June 1751, "This church owns three naves on the river, with its sacristy and choir close by, two small bells, limestone walls, and tiled floors". Two ancient doors in Antigueño style open on the north and south flanks of the church; these survived the earthquakes, including the 1925 earthquake that damaged the façade and towers.
Thefeast day ofSaint Anne is celebrated on July 26 of every year.
The church has been restored to its former colonial splendor, and awaits the announcement that will make it the seat of a new diocese, with the church itself becoming elevated to the status of cathedral.
El Calvario ("Calvary") Parish is located in the neighborhood of the same name, and was built in 1874 by Bishop MonsignorManuel Ulloa y Calvo. The first structure here was of adobe, but on October 11, 1885, this was destroyed by an earthquake and later rebuilt. Its patron is theHoly Name of Jesus, celebrated on the last Sunday of January every year. On May 17, the feast day ofSaint Pascal Baylon is also celebrated in the parish. The church was recently restored by the COEN Foundation.
Of recent construction, its origins lie in a structure built in 1855 but destroyed in an earthquake in 1885. It was originally built as an offering toOur Lady of Guadalupe during an outbreak ofcholera. After the outbreak, an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was first displayed in the church on December 25, 1856, andPope Pius IX elevated the church to the rank of sanctuary, the first church inCentral America to earn this title. It was restored by the COEN Foundation and its principal feast day is celebrated on December 12, with processions duringHoly Week being celebrated here as well.
This church also suffered from severe damage during the 1885 earthquake, after which it was enlarged. The church was unofficially associated with the city's aristocracy; elaborate weddings between members of the aristocracy were celebrated within its walls. In 1923, with the arrival of theFranciscans at the church, it was completely rebuilt. Its principal feast day falls on June 13 every year. There is also a procession that is held on January 1 of every year.
Chinandega has many colonial-era buildings, though not to the extent of the Nicaraguan cities ofLeón andGranada, since many of them were damaged during a 1928bombardment by the Liberal forces, who had revolted against ConservativeAdolfo Díaz. Most of the city was destroyed, and only the churches remained unharmed. The city does not have a code that protects colonial architecture as León and Granada do.
Chinandega's cultural and historical riches date from before the Spanish conquest, when this region was inhabited by variousMesoamerican peoples, who had perhaps originated from the north, possibly from present-dayMexico. There is a museum in the city, "Enrique Mantica Deshon", which contains 1,200archaeological artifacts ofPre-Columbian origin. There is also a municipal theater called "Rodrigo Callejas" which can seat 400 people.[citation needed]
Chinandega is home to twofootball clubs who have both played in the country's top tier in recent years:Chinandega FC andVCP Chinandega. They share the Estadio Efraín Tijerino Mazariego in the northwest of town near theairport.Tigres de Chinandega also call the city home as a member of theNicaragua Professional Baseball League. SeveralMajor League Baseball players have been a member of Los Tigres, includingMark Minicozzi.
12°37′N87°09′W / 12.617°N 87.150°W /12.617; -87.150
Capital:Chinandega | ||
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