Matagalpa
Encyclopedia
Matagalpa is a city in Nicaragua
, the capital of the department of Matagalpa
. The city has a population of 109,100 (2005 census), while the population of the department is more than 480,000. Matagalpa is Nicaragua's fifth largest city and one of its most commercially active outside of Managua. Matagalpa is the second most important city in Nicaragua and is known as the "Pearl of the North" and "Land of Eternal Spring."
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 Indian language words: Maika=Head, Calpul* Town-
But according to the Matagalpan linguist
father Guillermo Kiene, a Catholic priest and missionary who lived from 1898 to 1959, the word Matagalpa comes from the Sumo 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 ( "Aqui 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 beautifully surrounded by mountains.
The most precise interpretation was given by the historian Jeronimo Perez in 1856, is that the name Matagalpa comes from the Matagalpa Indian Language, and means "Pueblo Grande" (Big Town), from Maika= Head, Calpull=Town
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 in Philadelphia.
Besides their own language distinct from the other languages formerly spoken in Nicaragua, the Matagalpa Indian made original ceramics 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 archs arms. It took 300 years for the Spanish to submit them, even at the time of Nicaragua Independence in 1821 there were many Matagalpa Indians free in the central mountains of Nicaragua.
In 1856 they were decisive to defeat William Walker's filibusteers in the Battle of San Jacinto on Sept 14th, 1856, where a column of 60 Matagalpa Indians with bow and arrows fought at the side of Nicaraguan Patriots winnig that battle, which marked the end of Walker adventure in Nicaragua. That quest has been recognized by historians and arqueologist, and there is a popular movement to declare the Matagalpa Indians as National Heroes by the Congress of the Republic next month of September 2011.
Matagalpa was an existing Indian town when the firstsSpaniards came to this region by 1528 during an attempt to find a water passage to the "Northern Sea", the Caribbean
. (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 the Caribbean Sea
. Many stories are preserved from colonial times about the British-controlled Mosquito 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 (from Hannover) and his wife Katharina Braun (from Schwarzwald, Germany [Black Forest]]) who planted the first coffee trees
in 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 Petersen.
Matagalpa was also the city of refuge for many Nicaraguans escaping the invasion of Tennessean filibuster William Walker who took over much of the country and government in 1856. In Matagalpa the patriots organized the Ejército del Setentrión ("Army of the North"), which fought in and won the Battle of San Jacinto
assisted by 60 Matagalpa Indian on September 14, 1856, helping to end Walker's rule.
Matagalpa was also the birthplace of Nazario Vega, Governor and builder of the Cathedral; Bartolomé Martínez, President of Nicaragua, 1923–24; and Carlos Fonseca Amador, founder of the Sandinista Front in 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 (mainly peasant
s) from other departments, causing stress on infrastructure and the environment.
Matagalpa has a beautiful panoramic highway that starts in the city of Matagalpa and extends 30 kilometers to the city of Jinotega
. Nice scenic views reach up to 140 kilometers away up to the volcanic range near the Pacific coast.
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.
Matagalpa is a very well diversified province
. It 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 good coffee
, its cattle
, milk
products, vegetables, flowers and mountains popular with ecotourists
. It is the location of such storied mountain tourist resorts as Aranjuez
, Santa Maria de Ostuma
, and Selva 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.
Recently a large water project has been completed. A potable water system and a new waste water treatment facility were funded and built by the German government.
A new extension of the paved highway Managua-Sebaco-Matagalpa-Jinotega has been completed.
with:
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
, the capital of the department of Matagalpa
Matagalpa (department)
Matagalpa is a department or region in central Nicaragua. It covers an area of 8,523 km² and has a population of 644,900 . The capital is the city of Matagalpa with about 250.000....
. The city has a population of 109,100 (2005 census), while the population of the department is more than 480,000. Matagalpa is Nicaragua's fifth largest city and one of its most commercially active outside of Managua. Matagalpa is the second most important city in Nicaragua and is known as the "Pearl of the North" and "Land of Eternal Spring."
Origin of the name
But according to the Matagalpan linguist
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
father Guillermo Kiene, a Catholic priest and missionary who lived from 1898 to 1959, the word Matagalpa comes from the Sumo language
Sumo language
Sumo is the collective name for a group of Misumalpan languages spoken in Nicaragua and Honduras. Hale & Salamanca classifies the Sumu languages into a northern Mayangna, composed of the Twahka and Panamahka dialects, and southern Ulwa...
, 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 ( "Aqui 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 beautifully surrounded by mountains.
The most precise interpretation was given by the historian Jeronimo Perez in 1856, is that the name Matagalpa comes from the Matagalpa Indian Language, and means "Pueblo Grande" (Big Town), from Maika= Head, Calpull=Town
Pre-Colonial History
Matagalpa was originally an indigenous village. The Matagalpa Indians had their own language, but since 1875 it had been considered extinct, but efforts are being made by local linguists and antropologist to recover it from Indians who still speak it in remote areas of this province.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 in Philadelphia.
Besides their own language distinct from the other languages formerly spoken in Nicaragua, the Matagalpa Indian made original ceramics 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 archs arms. It took 300 years for the Spanish to submit them, even at the time of Nicaragua Independence in 1821 there were many Matagalpa Indians free in the central mountains of Nicaragua.
In 1856 they were decisive to defeat William Walker's filibusteers in the Battle of San Jacinto on Sept 14th, 1856, where a column of 60 Matagalpa Indians with bow and arrows fought at the side of Nicaraguan Patriots winnig that battle, which marked the end of Walker adventure in Nicaragua. That quest has been recognized by historians and arqueologist, and there is a popular movement to declare the Matagalpa Indians as National Heroes by the Congress of the Republic next month of September 2011.
Post-Colonial History
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. (Nicaragua
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
's Spanish colonization originated from the direction of the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, which was called the Southern Sea by the Spaniards.
Matagalpa is located in the continental divide between the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
and the Caribbean Sea
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean located in the tropics of the Western hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico and Central America to the west and southwest, to the north by the Greater Antilles, and to the east by the Lesser Antilles....
. Many stories are preserved from colonial times about the British-controlled Mosquito Coast
Mosquito Coast
The Caribbean Mosquito Coast historically consisted of an area along the Atlantic coast of present-day Nicaragua and Honduras, and part of the Western Caribbean Zone. It was named after the local Miskito Indians and long dominated by British interests...
, and the Spanish-colonized Pacific area.
Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
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 (from Hannover) and his wife Katharina Braun (from Schwarzwald, Germany [Black Forest]]) who planted the first coffee trees
Coffea
Coffea is a genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. They are shrubs or small trees native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. Seeds of several species are the source of the popular beverage coffee. Coffee ranks as one of the world's most valuable and widely traded...
in the area, the beans from which quickly went to market in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. 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 Petersen.
Matagalpa was also the city of refuge for many Nicaraguans escaping the invasion of Tennessean filibuster William Walker who took over much of the country and government in 1856. In Matagalpa the patriots organized the Ejército del Setentrión ("Army of the North"), which fought in and won the Battle of San Jacinto
José Dolores Estrada
José Dolores Estrada Morales , in the wake of the turmoil following José Santos Zelaya's fall, briefly served as acting President of Nicaragua for a week from 20 to 27 August 1910, before handing power to his brother, Juan José Estrada. He died the following year....
assisted by 60 Matagalpa Indian on September 14, 1856, helping to end Walker's rule.
Currently the department of Matagalpa is the second most populous in Nicaragua after the national capital (Managua
Managua
Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name. It is the largest city in Nicaragua in terms of population and geographic size. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Xolotlán or Lake Managua, the city was declared the national capital in...
, and the most diversified in production. Over the past few years Matagalpa has experienced a large influx of migrants (mainly peasant
Peasant
A peasant is an agricultural worker who generally tend to be poor and homeless-Etymology:The word is derived from 15th century French païsant meaning one from the pays, or countryside, ultimately from the Latin pagus, or outlying administrative district.- Position in society :Peasants typically...
s) from other departments, causing stress on infrastructure and the environment.
Matagalpa has a beautiful panoramic highway that starts in the city of Matagalpa and extends 30 kilometers to the city of Jinotega
Jinotega
Jinotega is the capital of Jinotega Department in the north central region of Nicaragua.-About:The capital city of the Department of Jinotega is the City of Jinotega. The Department of Jinotega produces 80% of the nation's coffee. It has a population of about 51,000 living inside a vast valley...
. Nice scenic views reach up to 140 kilometers away up to the volcanic range near the Pacific coast.
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.
Economy
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
. It produces and exports beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
, cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
, coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
, 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 good coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
, its cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
, milk
Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
products, vegetables, flowers and mountains popular with ecotourists
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism visiting fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas, intended as a low impact and often small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism...
. It is the location of such storied mountain tourist resorts as Aranjuez
Aranjuez
Aranjuez is a town lying 48 km south of Madrid, in the southern part of the Community of Madrid. It is located at the confluence of the Tagus and Jarama rivers, 48 km from Toledo. As of 2009, it has a population of 54,055.-History:...
, Santa Maria de Ostuma
Santa María de Ostuma
Santa María de Ostuma was a Mountain Hotel built by Leo Salazar in 1936. It was located in the province of Matagalpa, Nicaragua and attended personally by its owners. The resort's fame spread, and many local and international tourists visited it for vacationing and ecotourism...
, and Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Selva Negra Mountain Resort
Selva Negra Mountain Resort and Coffee Estate is a historical coffee farm founded in 1891 by German immigrants. Since 1976 it has also been a tourist resort. It is located in the department of Matagalpa, Nicaragua, just 7 miles from the city of Matagalpa...
.
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.
Recently a large water project has been completed. A potable water system and a new waste water treatment facility were funded and built by the German government.
A new extension of the paved highway Managua-Sebaco-Matagalpa-Jinotega has been completed.
Climate
Matagalpa, along with nearby Jinotega, enjoy "eternal spring" or all year, spring like weather. Matagalpa lies more than 700 meters above sea level with average temperature ranging from 26 °C to 28 °C., and relative humidity between 75% to 85%. Average rainfall is 1200 to 1900 mm.International relations
Twin towns — Sister cities
Matagalpa is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with: