La Ceiba
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La Ceiba is a port city on the northern coast of Honduras, Central America on the Caribbean Sea. With a population of about 250,000, it is the third largest city in the country and the capital of the Honduran department of Atlántida. It was founded in 1877. The city is named for the giant ceiba tree which grew near the dock. La Ceiba suffered from an over liberal use of DDT in the 1950's. Its climate is tropical, with a latitude of 15° 46.0 and a longitude of 086° 50.0. The city has been officially proclaimed the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras" as well as the "Entertainment Capital of Honduras".
La Ceiba's economy is made up of mostly commerce and agriculture but there is also a significant illegal commerce in cocaine as it is a transit point between Colombia and the United States, the world's major customer of illicit cocaine. Pineapple is the city's major legal export. Its largest producer is the Standard Fruit Company which is a subsidiary of the Dole Food Company. Standard Fruit, which operates all over northern Honduras, is based in La Ceiba.
Known as "La Novia de Honduras", or Honduras' girlfriend, La Ceiba's blend of Ladino, Caribbean, and Garifuna culture identify it as a party town. There is a saying that goes that "While Tegucigalpa thinks, and San Pedro Sula works, La Ceiba parties". Every year, on the third Saturday of May, the city holds its famous carnival. During this time, the city is host to over 200,000 extra people from all over the world.
La Ceiba has many parks and natural reserves. Its most recognised is the Pico Bonito (Beautiful Peak) National Park. This park's most recognized feature is its 2435 metre mountain peak of the same name, and the Nombre de Dios mountain range, of which Pico Bonito is a part, provides a back drop to the city. The Rio Cangrejal, popular for its Class III-IV river rafting, borders the eastern edge of the city and the Cuero and Salado Wildlife Refuge is located a few miles to the west. The Golosón International Airport is also to the west of town.
The Mazapan school, which was founded by Dole Food Company in 1928, developing the reputation as one of the best schools in Honduras.
[edit] Distinguished natives of La Ceiba
- José Simón Azcona Hoyo - former Honduras President (1981-1990).
- José Rosario Bonano - current Secretary of Public Works, Transportation and Housing.
- Dunia Elvir - journalist works for Telemundo in Los Angeles, United States.
- Margie Dabdoud - former mayor of La Ceiba
- Gonzalo Rivera - former mayor of La Ceina for two consecutive terms and current Congressman.
- Rodolfo Fito Irias - former President of Honduras National Congress and current Congressman.
- Marcelino Ponce former Vice President (known as Designado Presidencial) of Honduras (1982-1986).
[edit] Locator maps
- – La Ceiba
