Ahuachapán

Infobox Settlement
name = Ahuachapán
settlement_type = Municipality
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image_caption = Bamboo in Ahuachapán


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pushpin_map_caption =Location in El Salvador
subdivision_type = Country
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subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Ahuachapán Department
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area_total_km2 = 244.84
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population_total = 110,511
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latd=13|latm=55 |lats=|latNS=N
longd=89 |longm=51 |longs= |longEW=W
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footnotes = 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, which passes into the Laguna el Espino. 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 northeast of the city of Apaneca. 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. Fact|date=July 2008 It was won by the Guatemalans commanded by the Sergeant Mayor Nicolás Abos Padilla.

Other notable attractions include the Los Ausoles, the Lagoons of Llano and Morán, Atehuecillas and Malacatiupán.

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
*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
*Tacubita

Economy

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

*Alfredo Espino
*Humberto Escapini
*Roberto Galicia
*Miguel Ángel Espino
*Santiago José Celis

ports

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

*"this article incorporates text translated from Spanish Wikipedia"