Ahuachapán
—  Municipality  —
Bamboo in Ahuachapán
Ahuachapán Location in El Salvador
Coordinates: 13°55′N 89°51′W / 13.917°N 89.85°W / 13.917; -89.85
Country	El Salvador
Department	Ahuachapán Department
Area
- Total	94.5 sq mi (244.84 km2)
Population (2007)
- Total	110,511

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.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Local Attractions 2.1.1 Monuments 2.1.2 Lagoon of El Espino 2.2 Administrative Divisions 2.2.1 Cantons 2.2.2 Towns and villages in the municipality 3 Economy 4 Traditions 5 Notable people 6 Sports 7 References

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Local Attractions

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.^{[citation needed]} 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.

[edit] Administrative Divisions

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] Economy

The most important industries are geothermal energy, coffee, textiles and construction materials.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Notable people

• Alfredo Espino
• Humberto Escapini
• Roberto Galicia
• Miguel Ángel Espino
• Santiago José Celis
• Byron I. Milla Nicia

[edit] 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.

[edit] References

• this article incorporates text translated from Spanish Wikipedia

v • d • e Ahuachapán Department Capital: Ahuachapán Municipalities  · Ahuachapán  · Apaneca · Atiquizaya · Concepción de Ataco · El Refugio · Guaymango · Jujutla · San Francisco Menéndez · San Lorenzo · San Pedro Puxtla · Tacuba · Turín

Coordinates: 13°55′N 89°51′W / 13.917°N 89.85°W / 13.917; -89.85