Jalapa, Jalapa

Jalapa on the map of Guatemala

Jalapa is a town in Guatemala and the administrative center of the department of Jalapa and the greater community of the same name (Municipio ), which has about 120,000 inhabitants.

Location and climate

The city is located about 100 km east of Guatemala City at the foot of the volcano and the Jumay Alcoba Mountains amidst a highland plateau at 1,362 m altitude. It reached Jalapa Guatemala City from usually only indirectly. Jalapa is known for its temperate climate.

Economy and Tourism

In Jalapa and around a wide variety of agricultural products are produced, including coffee, potatoes, corn, beans, bananas, cassava, tobacco and sugar cane. It is important to horses and livestock. Jalapa is known for its cheeses and its butter. Of importance are also the forestry, arts and crafts and the service sector. Exports are ornamentals.

Tourism plays only a minor role. In Jalapa rodeos, bull and cock fights are held regularly. On the central square of the city is a petrified tree. Larger religious celebrations are held annually by 2 to 5 May (Santa Cruz ).

In Jalapa is a branch of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala.

History

In colonial times, Jalapa belonged to Corregimiento de Chiquimula. After the devastating earthquake of 1773, it planned the transfer of the capital of the General Captaincy of Guatemala Antigua Guatemala to Jalapa. An expert committee held both location and climate are suitable, but advised against due to lack of water from the expansion of the town to the capital. Jalapa was posted on November 24, 1873 the capital of the newly established departments of the same name. The name derives from the Jalapa Mayan term Xalapán from which means " sandy water."

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