Copán Department

Copán is one of the departments in the western part of Honduras. The departmental capital is the town of Santa Rosa de Copán. The department is well known for its tobacco and fine cigars.

Copán
Department
Cathedral of Santa Rosa
Flag Coat of arms
Coordinates: 14°46′N 88°47′W
Country	Honduras
Municipalities	23
Villages	337
Founded	28 May 1869
Seat	Santa Rosa de Copán
Government
• Type	Departmental
• Governor	Juana Barrera, LibRe 2022-2026
Area
• Total	3,239 km2 (1,251 sq mi)
Population  (2015)[1]
• Total	382,722
• Density	118.2/km2 (306.0/sq mi)
GDP (Nominal, 2015 US dollar)
• Total	$1.1 billion (2023)[2]
• Per capita	$2,300 (2023)
GDP (PPP, 2015 int. dollar)
• Total	$2.2 billion (2023)
• Per capita	$4,700 (2023)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CDT)
Postal code	41101, 41202
ISO 3166 code	HN-CP
HDI (2021)	0.572[3] medium · 15th of 18
Statistics derived from Consult INE online database: Population and Housing Census 2013[4]

The department is famous for its Pre-Columbian archaeological site at Copán, one of the greatest cities of the Maya civilization.

Etymology

The name "Copán" is from the Mayan Ch'orti' language.

Location

Santa Rosa de Copan, a city located in the mountainous northwestern part of Honduras, is situated 3,806 feet above sea level, near the Higuito River, between Copan Ruinas and Gracias.^[5]The department of Copán covers a total surface area of 3,242 km².

Population

The actual population in Santa Rosa de Copan is 61,818 people, having a male ratio of 29,402 (47.6%) and a female ratio of 32,416 (52.4%).^[6]

History

The territory that today is the department was inhabited by the Maya-Chortis civilization in the west and north; and Lenca in the extreme south. Its name "Copán" is due to the chief Copán Galel, a warrior who defended his lands before the Spanish colonization. This territory was within the jurisdiction of the colonial city of Gracias a Dios and until May 28, 1869, it was within the jurisdiction of the department of Lempira. On that date it was officially created as the Department of Copán and the city of Santa Rosa de Copán^[7] was named as the capital, during the administration of Captain General Don José María Medina. ^[8]

Geography

The Department of Copán is a geographically mountainous area, its main source of income is tourism to the Mayan archaeological sites, followed by the cultivation and production of coffee, tobacco, livestock, agriculture of vegetables and basic grains, production of articles in leather or saddlery, industrial products, etc.

Economy

Honduras' GDP increased by 3.6% in 2024; however, there is a slowdown of the GDP from 2.8% to 3.4% between 2025 and 2026. This is due because of remittances, an increase in inflation, and the deceleration of credit expansion.

Municipalities

1. Cabañas
2. Concepción
3. Copán Ruinas
4. Corquín
5. Cucuyagua
6. Dolores
7. Dulce Nombre
8. El Paraíso
9. Florida
10. La Jigua
11. La Unión
12. Nueva Arcadia
13. San Agustín
14. San Antonio
15. San Jerónimo
16. San José
17. San Juan de Opoa
18. San Nicolás
19. San Pedro
20. Santa Rita
21. Santa Rosa de Copán
22. Trinidad de Copán
23. Veracruz