Chiquimula

Chiquimula on the map of Guatemala

Chiquimula is a city in Guatemala and the administrative center of the department of Chiquimula and the greater community of the same name (Municipio ), which covers 372 km ² and 80,000 inhabitants.

Location and climate

The city is located about 174 kilometers east of Guatemala City on 424 m height. You can reach Chiquimula on the Atlantic Highway CA 9 and at Río Hondo branching off to the south CA 10

Chiquimula located in the southern catchment area of ​​the Río Motagua at relatively low altitude. The climate is tropical, therefore hot. The rainy season lasts from May to October.

Economy and Tourism

Thanks to its favorable location on the highway CA 10 (from Esquipulas ) Honduras to El Salvador and benefits Chiquimula from through traffic and has numerous hotels. The city is an important commercial center in the so-called Oriente. Chiquimula has a large market which is held daily. In 50 km further south of Esquipulas is a place of pilgrimage ( Basilica of Esquipulas with the Cristo Negro ) of national importance.

History

The area of Chiquimula belonged before the colonial period to Chiquimulhá Empire, whose capital was in Copan (now in Honduras). The town was founded in 1530 was destroyed by an earthquake in 1765. During the colonial period it was the center of a major county ( Corregimiento de Chiquimula ). After independence from Spain Chiquimula received city rights in 1821 and in 1825 the administrative center of the department of the same name. In the following years the city and its surroundings under the throes of several short civil wars suffered.