San Pedro Sula - History

San Pedro Sula is only a few miles from the coast and has always played a major role in Honduran history The city of San Pedro Sula was founded in 1536 by Don Pedro de Alvarado. The Spanish conqueror gave it the name of Villa de San Pedro de Puerto Caballos but after five years it had became known as San Pedro Sula, the name Sula deriving from the local dialect Usula, and meaning 'valley of birds'. San Pedro is divided into four quadrants based on the old Spanish system of building cities: Northeast, southeast, northwest and southwest. All the streets are numbered, with avenues leading from north to south and streets from east to west.

The Constitution of Honduras was adopted in 1982. Under the Constitution, the people elect a president to head the government and a legislature to make the country's laws. The president and the members of the legislature serve four-year terms. Presidents may serve only one term. The president appoints a Cabinet, and the Cabinet members head departments that carry out the operations of the government.

The military has much influence in the government of Honduras. For example, the country's military leaders are completely responsible for its national security policies and they also can veto any of the president's appointments to the Cabinet. Military leaders in Honduras have often taken complete control of the government. See the History section of this article for details of the military's role in the Honduran government

The Museum of Anthropology and History of San Pedro Sula is located at 3a Avenida corner with 4a Calle N.O. Entrance fee is Lps. 5.00 per person, open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. The Centro Cultural Sampedrano, where the public library is located, also hosts and organizes most of the cultural events going on in San Pedro Sula