Tegucigalpa

Tegucigalpa is the capital and largest city of Honduras, located in the southern highlands of the country in the Francisco Morazán Department. The city sits in a broad valley and is surrounded by hills, at an elevation of roughly 900 to 1,100 meters above sea level. It forms the central part of the Tegucigalpa–Comayagüela metropolitan area, which is divided by the Choluteca River.

The name Tegucigalpa is of uncertain origin, though it is commonly linked to indigenous terms associated with the hills and mineral wealth. The settlement was founded by Spanish authorities in 1578 as a mining town and developed as a political and administrative center during the colonial era. It became the capital of Honduras in 1880, replacing Comayagua, and has since served as the country’s political and cultural hub.

The city’s economy is primarily service-oriented, anchored in government administration, finance, commerce, and education. It hosts several higher education institutions, including the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH). The urban area features a historic center with colonial churches, plazas, and government buildings, alongside modern districts of business and commerce. A prominent landmark is Cristo del Picacho, a large statue atop surrounding hills that overlooks the city.

Tegucigalpa experiences a temperate highland climate, with mild, dry winters and a rainy season from May to October. It is connected by road to other parts of the country and is served by air facilities in the surrounding region: Toncontín International Airport within the city and a newer international facility at Palmerola near Comayagua to handle international traffic.