El Progreso
El Progreso | |
|---|---|
| Nickname: Progreso | |
| Motto: 'The Pearl of Ulua' | |
 | |
| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Yoro |
| Foundation | 1892 |
| Population | |
| • Total | 90,000 |
The municipality of El Progreso is located in the Honduran department of Yoro. Ramon Villeda Morales international airport of San Pedro Sula is located west of the city. To the east of the city is the mountain range of Mico Quemado (Burned Monkey).
El Progreso is located at a crossroads. Due to its strategic location, many travelers or tourists pass through el Progreso in one way or another. For that reason, el Progreso is considered a city of extreme importance in Honduras. Many travelers going to San Pedro Sula, Tela, La Ceiba, La Lima, Tegucigalpa etc. make a connection here, or use it as a rest area.
The territorial extension of the city is 547.5 km². Of this territory; 40.51 km² is defined as urban and 506.99 km² as rural. The city is also divided into three geographic zones, that make up more than 100 barrios, that is home to more than 90,000 people. The climate of the city is humid.
Economy
Due to its fertile lands, el Progreso is a city of great agricultural (farming) tradition. In recent years, several companies of fast foods have been established in the city. This is to satisfy the demands of the travelers; among these companies are: Pizza Hut, Popeye's, Burger King, KFC,applebees, chicago grill, texas roadhouse
Wendy's, Baskin Robins, Dunkin' Donuts, among others.
Besides the agriculture, the inhabitants of el Progreso also devote themselves to ranching (cattle) and to the production and trade of textiles.
Mico Quemado
The Mountain chain of Mico Quemado is one of the main attractions of the city. It is located to the east of el Progreso, facing the great Valley of Sula.
More than 280 km² of this mountain chain are protected by the Honduran Central Government. This is due to its ecological wealth, which is inhabited by a great quantity of plants and exotic animals. The area is also important for the inhabitants of the city because, it is where the water system for the city originates.
El Progreso is sometimes called "the bicycle City" because many of their people use the bicycle as a faster and more economical mode of transportation. This is perhaps a reflection on the relative poverty among the working class, as many of the city streets remain unpaved, and economic development has remained uneven.
Ulua River
The River Ulúa is one of the biggest and most important rivers of Honduras. This river has its birth in the department of Intibucá under the name of Rio Grande de Otoro.
The river runs through the departments of Santa Bárbara, Cortés , Yoro and Atlántida. It is fed by the rivers: Higuito, Mejocote, Jicatuyo, Pelo river, Comayagua and Sulaco.
In addition; many other creeks help to its development. The total length of Ulua River is 400 km. Due to its might, Rio Ulúa is also one dangerous river. During cyclones or torrential rains it has a tendency to grow excessively. Therefore, causing damages to the cities where it runs. Hurricane Mitch crept ashore on October 29 1998 and lingered until November 3, leaving as much as 3 FEET of rain in its wake as it lingered and meandered northward. This resulted in epic flooding and total devastation of the Ulúa basin. Recovery is still incomplete almost a decade later.
Distinguished natives of El Progreso
- Roberto Micheletti Baín, current President of Honduras National Congress.
- Rigoberto Omar Romero Martínez - former Subsecretary of Planning (SECPLAN) and former Subsecretary of Public Work and Transportation (SECOPT).
- Dr. Jose Anibal Funez - current Vice Minister of Health.
- Dr.Napoleon Galo Jordan
- Juan Antonio Bendeck Former President Chamber of Commerce, businessman.
- Saleh Jorge Gabrie, former President of the Chamber of Commerce, distinguished buisnessman
- Profesora Aída López de Castillo - Teacher, poet, songwriter, teacher of generations and leaders.
- Jorge (George) Mealer - Director Pro Nino and Bless the Children charities
- Fernando Garcia- Soccer Player in National League
- Carlos Pavon - Professional Soccer player
- Tyson Nuñez - Professional Soccer player
- Emil Martinez - Professional Soccer player
- Emil Hawit - Former President of Chamber of Commerce, businessman.
Capital: Yoro | ||
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