Comayagua [key], town (1997 est. pop. 62,000), capital of Comayagua dept., W central Honduras. Founded in 1537, Comayagua was the most important city of colonial Honduras. In the political struggle following independence from Spain (1821), Comayagua, the Conservative stronghold, rivaled Tegucigalpa, seat of the Liberal faction. The cities alternated as capital of the republic, but in 1880 Tegucigalpa became the permanent capital. Today Comayagua is a manufacturing center and serves as the western commercial center of Honduras. It has a fine colonial cathedral and other colonial landmarks.
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