Petoa

Petoa is a municipality in the department of Santa Bárbara in northern Honduras.^[1][2] Covering approximately 203.5 km² (78.6 sq mi), it borders the municipalities of Quimistán to the north, Villanueva, Cortés to the east, and San Marcos to the west.^[1][3][4] The municipality has a mean elevation of approximately 253 m (830 ft) above sea level.^[1] The Chamelecón and Cacaulapa rivers pass through the region.^[4] The region has a tropical monsoon climate.^[2] The soil is prone to erosion particularly along the river banks, where embankments have been constructed.^[5] The town is located about 44 km (27 mi) from the Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport.^[1]

At the time of the 2013 Honduras census, Petoa municipality had a population of 12,135. Of these, 83.87% were Mestizo, 15.18% White, 0.68% Indigenous, 0.20% Black or Afro-Honduran and 0.07% others.^[6] According to the INE projection, Petoa had a population of 13,121 in 2022, marking gradual growth since the 2013 census of 12,135. Population growth rate averaged around 1.92 % annually between 1950 and 2013.^[7] Gender distribution was almost equal and nearly 86% of the population was rural.^[3]

15°16′N 88°17′W / 15.267°N 88.283°W / 15.267; -88.283