Champerico
| Champerico | ||
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Coordinates: 14 ° 18 ′ N , 91 ° 55 ′ W Champerico on the map of Guatemala
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| Basic data | ||
| Country | Guatemala | |
| Department | Retalhuleu | |
| City foundation | 1871 | |
| Residents | 35,000 | |
| - in the metropolitan area | Municipio | |
| Detailed data | ||
| surface | 416 km 2 | |
| Population density | 84 people / km 2 | |
| height | 5 m | |
| Waters | Pacific | |
| Time zone | UTC −6 | |
| City Presidency | Victoriano de Jesús Ovando | |
| City patron | San Salvador | |
| Website | ||
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Champerico is a small town on the Pacific coast of Guatemala . It is the administrative seat of the large municipality of the same name ( Municipio ) in the Retalhuleu department . About 35,000 people live in the 416 km² municipality.
Location and climate
The small town is located about 225 km southwest of Guatemala City and 38 km southwest of Retalhuleu on the Pacific coast, about 40 km southeast of the Mexican border. Champerico is connected by a national road with Retalhuleu and with the Pacific highway CA 2, which runs a little north of it (near El Zarco). The climate is tropical hot, the rainy season lasts from May to October.
Economy and tourism
Champerico has long been an important port for exporting coffee . The place also had a railway connection . Once the third most important port in Guatemala, today it has sunk into insignificance and is only used for fishing . However, there have been plans for some time to build a terminal for cruise ships here.
Champerico and its long, dark sandy beaches are a popular destination for the local population. International tourism only plays a subordinate role. The public celebrations in Holy Week ( Semana Santa ) and at Christmas are important .
history
The wood processing company Champer & Co. had been active in the Champerico area since the beginning of the 18th century , which is why it is assumed that the name of the present-day town comes from this company. In 1871 the Guatemalan government declared the place a "National Port" ( Puerto Nacional ), which was in operation as a commercial port until 1982. In 1982 a storm caused severe damage. There is nothing left of the former port facilities.