La Ceiba
La Ceiba | |
|---|---|
Monumental letters at the beach | |
| Nickname: La novia de Honduras (Honduras' girlfriend/bride) | |
| Coordinates: 15°46′45″N 86°47′35″W / 15.77917°N 86.79306°W | |
| Country | Honduras |
| Department | Atlántida |
| Founded | 23 August 1877 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bader Dip |
| Area | |
| 654 km2 (253 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 60 km2 (20 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) |
| Population (2023 projection) | |
| 232,696 (4th in Honduras) | |
| • Urban | 215,973 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central America) |
| Climate | Af |
| Website | municipalidadlaceiba |
La Ceiba (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈsej.βa]) is a municipality, the capital of the Honduran department of Atlántida, and a port city on the northern Caribbean coast in Honduras. It forms part of the southeastern boundary of the Gulf of Honduras. With an estimated population of 232,696 living in approximately 170 residential areas (called colonias or barrios), it is the fourth most populous municipality in the country. It was also one of several important ports during colonial times for exporting goods like sugar and gold to Spain and importing enslaved Africans to Honduras.
La Ceiba was officially founded on 23 August 1877. The city was named after a giant ceiba tree that grew near the old dock. The city has been officially proclaimed the "Eco-Tourism Capital of Honduras," as well as the "Entertainment Capital of Honduras". Every year, on the third or fourth Saturday of May, the city holds its famous carnival to commemorate Isidore the Laborer (Spanish San Isidro Labrador). During this time, the city is host to approximately 500,000 tourists.