city, southern Honduras. It lies in the hot Pacific lowlands along the Choluteca River. It was founded in 1522 as a mining centre and was given city status in 1845. Choluteca is a commercial and manufacturing centre for an agricultural hinterland yielding mainly coffee, cotton, and cattle. Dairies, tanneries, sawmills, rice mills, and other industries are located in the city. The city retains many interesting buildings from the Spanish colonial period. Choluteca is on the Pan-American Highway and has an airfield. Pop. (2001) 75,600.