Jump to content

Matagalpa

Coordinates:12°55′N85°55′W/ 12.917°N 85.917°W/12.917; -85.917
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matagalpa
San Pedro de Matagalpa
Municipality
Matagalpa's Cathedral
Matagalpa's Cathedral
Flag of Matagalpa
Flag
Official seal of Matagalpa
Seal
Matagalpa is located in Nicaragua
Matagalpa
Matagalpa
Location in Nicaragua
Coordinates:12°55′N85°55′W/ 12.917°N 85.917°W/12.917; -85.917
CountryNicaragua
DepartmentMatagalpa Department
Government
• MayorSadrach Zeledón
Area
• Municipality619 km2(239 sq mi)
Population
(2022 estimate)[1]
• Municipality169,540
• Density270/km2(710/sq mi)
•Urban
112,697(7th Nicaragua)
ClimateAw

Matagalpa(Spanish pronunciation:[mataˈɣalpa]) is a city inNicaraguawhich is the capital of thedepartment of Matagalpa.The city has a population of 112,697 (2022 estimate),[2]while the population of the department is 606,643. Matagalpa is Nicaragua's seventh largest city, the largest in the country's interior, and one of the most commercially active outside ofManagua.Matagalpa is known as the "Pearl of the North" and "Land of Eternal Spring."

Origin of the name

[edit]
A waterfall in the Apante area of Matagalpa.

According to Jeronimo Perez, a historian who visited this area in 1855–1856 the name Matagalpa means Cabeza Principal (Main Head) or Pueblo Grande (Big Town) from the Matagalpa indigenous language words: Maika=Head, Calpul* Town- But according to the Matagalpan linguist fatherGuillermo Kiene,a Catholic priest and missionary who lived from 1898 to 1959, the word Matagalpa comes from theSumo language,and means "let's go where the rocks are."

There have been other descriptions of the word Matagalpa: -Here next to the water, and -Among Mountains ( "Aquí junto al agua" y "Entre Montañas" ). These descriptions are believed to be related to the geographic location of the city, which is next to the Grand River of Matagalpa, and also surrounded by mountains.

History

[edit]

Precolonial history

[edit]

Matagalpa was originally an indigenous village. TheCacaopera people,or Matagalpa had theirown language,which has been extinct since 1875. A document from the year 1855 with 97 words and phrases from the Matagalpa language can be found in the Daniel G. Brinton section of the American Philosophical Library inPhiladelphia.

The Matagalpa made ceramics of a style known as "Ceramica Negra" and "Naranja Segovia", they also built stone statues representing their chieftain and warriors. They were feared by the Spanish because they were very brave and effective with their bows and other arms. It took 300 years for the Spanish to submit them, even at the time of Nicaragua Independence in 1821, there were many Cacaopera free in the central mountains of Nicaragua. In 1856 they were decisive to defeatWilliam Walker'sfilibusters in theBattle of San Jacintoon 14 September 1856, where a column of 60 Cacaopera people with bow and arrows fought at the side of Nicaraguan Patriots winning that battle, which marked the end of Walker's adventure in Nicaragua. That quest has been recognized by historians and archaeologists, and there is a popular movement to declare the Cacaopera as National Heroes by the Congress of the Republic next month of September 2011.

Post-colonial history

[edit]
View of downtown from one of the surrounding hills
Street in Matagalpa, April 1988.
TheNational Police of Nicaraguaoperates the Matagalpa District Station.

Matagalpa was an existing indigenous town when the firstSpaniardscame to this region by 1528 during an attempt to find a water passage to the "Northern Sea", theCaribbean.(Nicaragua's Spanish colonization originated from the direction of the Pacific Ocean, which was called the Southern Sea by the Spaniards.

Matagalpa is located in the continental divide between the Pacific Ocean and theCaribbean Sea.Many stories are preserved from colonial times about the British-controlledMosquito Coast,and the Spanish-colonized Pacific area.

Gold was discovered around Matagalpa by 1840. Along with many Spaniards and Mestizos, it attracted German, American and British immigrants. Two of the better known immigrants of this period were Ludwig Elster (fromHannover) and his wife Katharina Braun (from Schwarzwald, GermanyBlack Forest) who planted the firstcoffee treesin the area, the beans from which quickly went to market in Germany. Coffee agriculture attracted more than 120 European immigrants, many of whom married Matagalpan women, and many of their descendants still live in the area.

In 1923 some Danish immigrants also came to Matagalpa, and settled in the highlands as well. Most of the Danish families went back to Denmark. Three families stayed: the Gröns, the Möllers, and the Petersens.

Matagalpa was also the city of refuge for many Nicaraguans escaping the invasion of Tennessean filibusterWilliam Walkerwho took over much of the country and government in 1856. In Matagalpa the patriots organized theEjército del Septentrión( "Army of the North" ), which fought in and won theBattle of San Jacinto,assisted by 60 Matagalpa, on 14 September 1856, helping to end Walker's rule.

Visitor atSelva Negra Mountain Resort.

Matagalpa Department was also the birthplace ofRubén Darío,1867-1916; Nazario Vega, Governor and builder of the Cathedral;Bartolomé Martínez,President of Nicaragua, 1923–24; Matias Baldizon Morales, 1820-1886, andCarlos Fonseca Amador,founder of theSandinista Frontin 1961.

Currently the department of Matagalpa is the second most populous in Nicaragua after the national capital (Managua), and the most diversified in production. Over the past few years Matagalpa has experienced a large influx of migrants (mainlypeasants) from other departments, causing stress on infrastructure and the environment.

Matagalpa has a panoramic highway that starts in the city of Matagalpa and extends 30 kilometres (19 miles) to the city ofJinotega.Scenic views extend up to 140 kilometres (87 miles) away, to the volcanic range near the Pacific coast.[citation needed]

Many historians, archeologists, botanists and ethnologists have arrived in recent years to do research in this region. American and European descendants of the first settlers are also returning to visit the historical homes of their ancestors.[citation needed]

Economy

[edit]
Cocoais one of the main Productions of Matagalpa.

Matagalpa produces and exports beef, cheese, coffee,cacao,onions, tomatoes and mixed fruits and vegetables. For local consumption it produces flowers, wood, corn, beans, fruits (oranges, grapefruits, bananas, plantains) and many kinds of vegetables such as broccoli, and cauliflower.

Matagalpa is known for its coffee, its cattle, milk products, vegetables, flowers and mountains popular withecotourists.It is the location of such storied mountain tourist resorts asAranjuez,Santa Maria de Ostuma,andSelva Negra Mountain Resort.

A large part of the economy in Matagalpa depends on eco-tourism. Nature hikes, walks, and excursions are very common throughout Matagalpa, and the northern region on Nicaragua. One of the most recognized eco-tourism sites is Selva Negra Wildlife Refuge, with over 120 hectares (300 acres) of land dedicated to the conservation of the area's diverse flora and fauna.

Climate

[edit]

Matagalpa, along with nearbyJinotega,enjoy "eternal spring" or all year, spring-like weather. Matagalpa lies more than 700 m (2,297 ft)above sea levelwith the average temperature ranging from 26 to 28 °C (79 to 82 °F)., and relative humidity between 75% and 85%. Average rainfall is 1,200 to 1,900 mm (47 to 75 in).

[edit]
  • Main Street to Parque Morazan and Cathedral
    Main Street to Parque Morazan and Cathedral
  • Overlook of downtown from Matagalpa-Jinotega highway during the dry season
    Overlook of downtown from Matagalpa-Jinotega highway during the dry season
  • 2007 Independence Day parade
    2007 Independence Day parade
  • Home in Matagalpa
    Home in Matagalpa

Notable people

[edit]

International relations

[edit]
Main article:List of twin towns and sister cities in Nicaragua

Twin towns – Sister cities

[edit]

Matagalpa istwinnedwith:

References

[edit]
  1. ^Citypopulation.dePopulation of Matagalpa municipality
  2. ^Citypopulation.dePopulation of the major cities in Nicaragua
  3. ^"Partneri- ja kummikaupungit (Partnership and twinning cities)".Oulun kaupunki (City of Oulu)(in Finnish).Retrieved27 July2013.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related toMatagalpa.

12°55′N85°55′W/ 12.917°N 85.917°W/12.917; -85.917

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matagalpa&oldid=1241045735"