San Juan de Oriente
Nicaragua

GEOGRAPHY

The municipal territory of San Juan de Oriente lies on the southeastern slope of the Apoyo Volcano, where the volcano’s burned-out crater now contains the well-known Apoyo Lagoon. The surface is completely irregular; the land is fertile.

HISTORY

The town of San Juan de Oriente was founded by the Spanish in 1530. Before that time the area was known as Namotiva, which in the indigenous Nahuatt language means “Brother Peoples” or “Neighboring Towns,” since San Juan de Oriente lay at the geographic center of a zone of towns. These Namotiva towns were characterized by their large factories of ceramics and sculpture.

INDUSTRIES

Three-fourths of the population is involved in decorative ceramics, either processing the clay, turning, decorating or firing the pots, and marketing the pieces. The excellence of San Juan de Oriente pottery has gained worldwide recognition with some of the potters having traveled to exhibitions in the United States and Europe.

EDUCATION

The municipality has a student population of 900-1,000 enrolled in preschool, primary and private secondary. More than 400 secondary students attend school in other municipalities.

CLIMATE

The climate is semi-humid, with two seasons: winter, from May to November; and summer, from December to April.

POPULATION

One of the smallest municipalities in the Department (state) of Masaya, San Juan de Oriente has an area of 14 square kilometers and a population of 5,600 inhabitants. It is divided into four zones.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Donald Coan, President

Date of Sacramento City Resolution endorsing Sister City Affiliation with San Juan de Oriente: February 28, 2006.