Jackson (TN) Rotary - Projects

León is a city in western Nicaragua, with an approximate population of 125,000 (as of 1995). It is Nicaragua's second largest city and the rail and commercial center between Corinto and Managua. It was founded in 1524 on Lake Managua by Francisco Fernández de Córdoba and moved west to its present site in 1610 after a severe earthquake. In colonial times, León was the Nicaragua's political hub. The poet Rubén Darío is buried in its cathedral. Ash from the Cerro Negro volcano damaged the city in 1992. The city of Leon is, together to Granada, the most important city of Nicaragua after the main city Managua. On its territory there are many churches of colonial age like the cathedral, the largest of all Central America. The University of León was founded in 1812 and teaching began in 1816. For more than a century it was the second most important university in Central America and in 1999 it was declared a university city by executive decree.

León is considered the cradle of Nicaraguan culture and is proud of its illustrious sons such as Rubén Dario, regarded as the founder of Modernism and Alfonso Cortes and Azarias H Pallais, judged the greatest exponents of Vanguardism.

León is a unique city of great traditions where culture and the traditional are intertwined. At sundown, you can see its friendly people seated in front of their houses. The enchantment and mystery of León are revealed by the secrets shrouded in the long halls of the typical colonial houses.

El Ayundante is a potential international project, where the Rotary Club of Jackson would send members and friends to Leon for vocational education of local Rotarians and hands-on construction projects. To express interest in joining this project, or simply to learn more, contact James Dusenberry.