He advised that the vast size of Gracias made it difficult to govern and that it would be desirable to divide it into more than one department.

10 was issued, which called for the creation of a new department to be named Intibucá in April of that year.

The capital of La Esperanza lies at an elevation of 4,950 feet (1,510 m) above sea level.

[citation needed] The Opalaca mountains have several ridges and crosses over into the department of La Paz.

[3] The mountains and slopes are well supplied with pine and Oak forests, and the valleys thrive with fertile, well-watered soil, covered with vegetation characteristic of the temperate rather than tropical zone.