Quimistán

The region was part of the region conquered by the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in the early 16th century CE. In 1791, it is mentioned as part of the curato (ecclesiastical jurisdiction) of Petoa. Later, it was part of the San Pedro partido, which later became San Pedro Sula. The word Quimistan is from Mexican roots and means "Place of mice or spies".^[1][2]

Quimistan is located in the department of Santa Bárbara in Honduras.^[2][3] It borders the municipalities of Petoa and San Marcos to the south, Azacualpa and Macuelizo to the west, San Pedro Sula to the west, and Omoa to the north.^[1][2] The municipality covers an area of 745.3 km² (287.8 sq mi).^[1]

The municipality comprises 41 aldeas (villages) and their associated caseríos (hamlets).^[4]: 20

At the time of the 2013 census, Quimistán had a total population of 47,993 inhabitants, of which 24,158 (50.3%) were male and 23,835 (49.7%) were female.^[5][4]: 20 It is the most populous municipality in Santa Bárbara department.^[3] Of the total population, 14,445 (30.1%) was classified as urban and 33,549 (69.9%) lived in rural.^[4]: 20

Of the total population, 6.16% were classified as Indigenous and rest as non-indigenous.^[3] By broad age group, 37.6% of the population were aged 0–14, 57.6% were aged 15–64, and 4.8% were aged 65 and over. The median age was 20.3 years and the mean age was 24.8 years. Among the population aged 15 and over (29,951 persons), the illiteracy rate was recorded as 17.6% as against 22.2% for the department.^[4]: 19 The municipality had 10,778 occupied private dwellings,^[4]: 34 with an average household size of 4.3 persons.^[4]: 19

The municipality celebrates its annual festival in June in honour of its patron San Juan Bautista.^[1][2]