Chalchuapa
| Chalchuapa | ||
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Coordinates: 13 ° 59 ′ N , 89 ° 41 ′ W Chalchuapa on the map of El Salvador
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| Basic data | ||
| Country | El Salvador | |
| Department | Santa Ana | |
| City foundation | 16th century | |
| Residents | 30,000 (estimate) | |
| - in the metropolitan area | 75,000 | |
| Detailed data | ||
| height | 700 m | |
| Waters | Río Pampe | |
Chalchuapa is the capital of the municipality of the same name in the south of the Santa Ana department in the west of El Salvador . The name is taken from the Nahuatl language and means something like "Jade River."
location
Chalchuapa lies at an altitude of about 700 m above sea level. d. M. and about 80 kilometers from the capital San Salvador . The border with the neighboring state of Guatemala is about 20 kilometers (as the crow flies) to the west.
economy
In addition to small-scale artisan businesses of all kinds, the cultivation and export of coffee , cane sugar and citrus fruits play the dominant role in the economic life of the city or the municipality. There is also a clothing and shoe manufacturing facility.
history
The former volcanic crater of the approximately one square kilometer Laguna Cuzcachapa has been filled with water for decades - it was probably the main reason for people to settle in its area. The ruins of the two Maya cities of Casa Blanca and Tazumal are in the immediate vicinity of Chalchuapa; El Trapiche , Pampe and Las Victorias are other sites in the vicinity, but so far no excavation work and / or reconstruction work has been carried out.
In the course of the Conquista , the entire area came under Spanish rule. In the context of the independence efforts of the Central American colonies, the question of a reorganization of rule arose, whereby the model of a Central American confederation was discussed and implemented in the years 1823–1838. The Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios Auyón , who has ruled since 1873, was the spokesman in an attempt to revive the Confederation, but he was killed in a battle against the troops of Salvadoran President Rafael Zaldívar on April 2, 1885 in the Battle of Chalchuapa .
Attractions
- Chalchuapa is best known as the main site of Maya relics in El Salvador; the ruins of Tazumal and Casa Blanca with their museums are well worth a visit.
- The 17th century baroque church of Santiago Apostol , dedicated to the Apostle James , is a jewel of colonial architecture in Central America. However, the bell gable crowning the church facade with set figures of saints has for a long time only served as an ornament, because the bells hang on the upper floor of the - later added (?) - side tower. The interior of the church has three aisles with wooden supports and a wooden 'cantilever vault' over the central nave; several baroque side altars and an altarpiece in a flat choir closure complete the harmonious impression. An equestrian statue of Santiago crowns the dome of the church building. The church has been classified as a Monumento nacional since 1992 .
Holidays
- Patron celebrations in honor of Santiago (July 18-21)
- Festival in honor of San Roque (August 12-26)