Somoto, Madriz

Somoto, meaning "The Valley of Geese" [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/mapfacts.html Merced-Somoto Map/Facts ] ] , is a town located in the hills of northern Nicaragua around 20 km south-west of Ocotal, and is in the municipality of Madriz. It was founded as a town in 1867, and since 1936 [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/mapfacts.html Merced-Somoto Map/Facts ] ] has been the capital of Madriz. Somoto is also home to the Somoto Canyon, a relatively big tourist attraction in Nicaragua. Somoto has a total population of approximately 40,000 [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/mapfacts.html Merced-Somoto Map/Facts ] ] , with 15,000 people living in the urban area and 25,000 in 48 nearby communities.

Notable people from Somoto include Carlos Mejía Godoy and Luis Mejia Godoy, both popular musicians in Nicaragua [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/mapfacts.html Merced-Somoto Map/Facts ] ] . The Real Madriz football team is located in Somoto

History

In pre-Hispanic times Somoto was populated by Olmecs and Aztecs who emigrated from Mexico [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/mapfacts.html Merced-Somoto Map/Facts ] ] . The Merced/Somoto Sister City Committee was formed in 1988 by members of the Merced Central America Support Group, who were matched with Somoto by the Nicaraguan Embassy [ [http://www.cityofmerced.org/somoto/history.html Merced-Somoto History ] ] . In March 1992 were granted official Sister City status by a unanimous vote of the Merced City Council.

References

[http://somoto.xtremdesign.net/ Not Oficial site of Somoto]