Ahuachapán is a city and municipality and
the capital of the Ahuachapán
Department in western El Salvador
. The municipality including the city covers
an area of 244.84 km² and as of 2007 has a population of 110,511
people.
Situated near the Guatemalan
border, it is the westernmost city in the country
and is the center of an agricultural region producing primarily
coffee.
Ahuachapán is the site of a
geothermal power plant and a
hydroelectric station. The local geothermal activity produces many
steam vents, visible throughout the surrounding mountains.
Among other things, Ahuachapan is also the birthplace of notable
Salvadoran poet
Alfredo Espino and is
about an hour's drive from the national wildlife park El
Imposible.
History
Ahuachapán was founded by
Mayan
Indians of the
Pokomanes tribe in the 5th
century and invaded in the 15th century by the
Izalcos. It officially gained city status on 11
February 1862 and became the departmental capital on the February
9, 1869.
Geography
The
municipality of Ahuachapán is located 100 km from the capital city
San
Salvador
.
To the
north it borders San Lorenzo
and the Republic of Guatemala
. It is surrounded by San
Lorenzo, Atiquizaya
and Turín
; by Juayúa
, Apaneca
, and
Tacuba
to the south. The climate of the
municipality is very warm with the temperatures oscillating between
22°C and 27°C.
The principal river is the [[Río Paz].
There are other
tributaries but the Río Paz forms a natural border between El salvador
and Guatemala.
Local Attractions
Monuments
Near the
Iglesia La
Asunción, the Francisco Menéndez Park has a monument to honor
General
Francisco Menéndez
who was president of the republic. There is a bronze plate
indicating the house where he lived.
Lagoon of El Espino
It was formerly called Huitziapan or “Laguna de las Espinas "
Located at 4 kilometers to the north/west of the city of
Ahuachapan, along the international highway to Guatemala. It is a
beautiful stop for travelers wishing to spend a night or two. It
has a desent restaurant,"El Gran Rancho", and a little hotel for a
reasonable price. Between this gathering of water and the city of
Ahuachapán, the first battle in the history of independent Central
America took place; the
battle of
Espino, on March 12, 1822. It was won by the Guatemalans
commanded by the Sergeant Mayor
Nicolás Abos Padilla.
Other notable attractions include the
Los
Ausoles, the Lagoon Morán,
Atehuecillas and
Malacatiupán. Close to Las Chinamas, we
found "Los Encuentros" where the "Rio Paz" river and the "El
Pulula" river(guatemalan river)merge. "La Poza de la Yerba Buena"
of the Pueblo Viejo river in the Santa Cruz Canton, is also an
amaizing place to go for the day.El Arco Duran, situated in the
perimeter of the city of Ahuachapan, is a replica of a famous
French arch. You'll find all kinds of "Pupusas" nearby.
Administrative Divisions
Cantons
The municipality is divided into 28 cantons.
These are: Ashapuco, Chancuyo, Chipilapa, Cuyanausul, El Anonal, El
Roble, El Tigre, El Barro, Guayaltepec, La Coyotera, La Danta, La
Montañita, Las Chinamas (Puesto Fronterizo), Llano de Doña María,
Llano de La Laguna o El Espino, Loma de La Gloria, Los Huatales,
Los Magueyes, Los Toles, Nejapa, Palo Pique, Río Frío, San Lázaro,
San Ramón, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa Acacalco, Suntecumat y
Tacubita.
Towns and villages in the municipality
- Agua Shuca
- Ahuachapan
- Ashapuco
- Ataco
- Calapa
- Chancuyo
- Chipilapa
- Cuyanausul
- El Anonal
- El Barro
- El Espino
- El Jobo
- El Junquillo
- El Mojon
- El Roble
- El Saitillal
- El Tigre
- Guayaltepec
- Hacienda San Isidro
- Hacienda San Luis
- La Angostura
- La Coyotera
- La Danta
- La Guascota
- La Montanita
- Las Chinamas
- Llano de Dona Maria
- Llano de La Laguna
- Loma de La Gloria
- Los Horcones
- Los Huatales
- Los Magueyes
- Los Toles
- Palo Pique
- Rio Frio
- San Jose
- San Lazaro
- San Luis
- San Ramon
- San Raymundo
- Santa Cruz
- Santa Rita
- Santa Rosa Acacalco
- Suntecumat
- Tacuba
Economy
Green Coffee processing in
Ahuachapan
The most important industries are
geothermal energy,
coffee,
textiles and
construction materials.
Traditions
The most important tradition is the
Día de los Farolitos (Day of the
Little lights), held on
September 15
where a parade and celebration is conducted to honor
Jesus Christ.
Notable people
Sports
The
Once Municipal or 11 Municipal is
the local professional football club of the Department of
Ahuachapán.
The home stadium of Once Municipal is
Estadio
Simeón Magaña
.
References
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Search
