Guarita

Guarita is a municipality in the Honduran department of Lempira.

Guarita,is one of the oldest municipalities of the Lempira department. The best way to go to Guarita is via Santa Rosa de Copán-San Marcos de Ocotepeque-Cololaca-Guarita and it takes about 2.5 hours. This way is much more preferable than going via Gracias. The distance between Guarita and San Juan Guarita municipality is scarcely half hill. The road is in good conditions most of the year. The deviation is located about 20 km from Cololaca, taking a right. The left deviation leads to Tambla municipality.

History

In the census of 1,791 it was part of "El Curato de Sensenti", the deed of land as a municipality was given on November 20, 1795. It became a city on March 20, 1934.

Geography

Guarita is based on the half of a mountain. It is surrounded by pine and oak tree forests. Also the mountains and hills are very steep and irregular. The weather has changed from cool to warmer every year due to the Forest exploitation.

Boundaries

Its boundaries are:
*North : Cololaca and San Sebastián munipalities.
*South : El Salvador .
*East : Tambla and San Juan Guarita municipalities.
*West : Cololaca municipality and El Salvador.

*Surface Extents: 172 km²

Resources

Because of its elevation from the sea level. Guarita provides the conditions for coffee plantations. There is also the forest exploitation as an issue of economical activity. Beans and Corn crops can not miss, since they are part of the culture in the whole country. As the rest of the department, Guarita has electricity and mobile communications. there are 2 places that provide internet access.

Population

The cross-breed of spanish settlers and native indian is the majority in Guarita.

*Population: this municipality had approximately 7,964 people in 2001. The INE used this figure to elaborate estimates, and the number of people in 2008 could be 8,592.
*Villages: 10
*Settlements: 128

Tourism

Guarita is a municipality with a rich an dvast history, because it was one of the very first organizations of the spanish colonization, as proof it can be considered that it was part of the "Curato de Sensenti" and district to the other organization that were emerging along the history of the department. Its architecture style is quite simple and colonial. A great place to enjoy the stillness of rural life. The Salvadoran media has an important influence in this municipality.
*Local Holidays: "Santa Cruz" day; May 3rd through 5th.