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Juigalpa-Nicaragua
The Departmental
Capital of Chontales
Juigalpa is the departmental capital of Chontales.It is located
approximately 140 km east of Managua, in the central region of
Nicaragua. It’s true what they say, that it has the feel of a big
small town, rather than a small big city.
The city of Juigalpa has an historical registry of many centuries
and although the population already existed like an indigenous
establishment is only mentioned in 1659.In that period the mayor of
that time asks for earth to the seated Spanish representatives in
Guatemala. Perhaps the 24 of April of 1668 can be considered the
date of foundation of this city and of the department.
Nicaragua has a tropical climate, but in all reality it
resembles more the Savanna. Due to massive deforestation to make way
for cattle, the land which was once rainforest is now very dry.
During the rainy season it rains about 4-5 times a week and is often
humid. This fact supplies most of the mosquito population for
Nicaragua. During the dry season, it is extremely hot and extremely
dusty. The temperature is very comparable to that of Managua. The
dry season causes severe water problems, sometimes taking all of
Juigalpa of water for months.
The site of Juigalpa is beautifully chosen, as is usual with the old
Indian towns. It is on a level dry piece of land, about three
hundred feet above the river. A rocky brook behind the town supplies
the water for drinking and cooking purposes. The large square or
plaza has the church at one end. On the other three sides are red
tiled adobe houses and stores, with floors of clay or red bricks.
Streets branch off at right angles from the square and are crossed
by others. The best houses are those nearest the square.
Those on the outskirts are simple thatched
hovels, with open sides of bamboo poles. Each way the prospect was
bounded by hills in the distance. North-east was the white cliffs of
the Amerrique range, mantled with dark wood. The area to the
south-west is several miles distant and is called San Miguelito.
Juigalpa’s fiestas patronales, August 11–18, attract visitors from
the entire nation and even Honduras and Costa Rica. Much of the
festivities take place on the north side of town, in Juigalpa’s
Plaza de Toros, but you’ll find parties all over. It’s a rowdy
cowboy festival of bull riding, rodeo competitions, and horseback
games. In one of these, called the carrera de cinta, mounted riders
gallop underneath a wire from which is suspended a small ring. If a
rider successfully puts a pencil through the ring at full gallop, he
can present it and a kiss to the woman of his choice from among the
contestants vying to be queen of the festival. The woman who
receives the most rings is crowned the queen.
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