Lanquín

Lanquín on the map of Guatemala

Lanquín (also San Agustín Lanquín ) is a city in Guatemala and administrative seat of the greater community ( municipality ) in the department of Alta Verapaz. In the 208 km ² large municipality of about 20,000 people live in Lanquín about 2000.

Geography

Lanquín lies at the eastern foot of the mountains of Alta Verapaz to an altitude of 400 m. Characterised is the land of the valley of the rivers Río Lanquín and Río Cahabón and their smaller tributaries. In contrast to further west highland, the climate is already marked here by the tropical lowlands Izabals.

Lanquín borders in the southwest, west and northwest by the municipality of San Pedro Carcha, in the northeast and east by Santa María Cahabón and to the southeast by Senahú.

Population

The population is 95 percent ethnic group of Maya - Kekchi, the rest are Ladinos. The municipality comprises 53 rural communities ( " Aldeas ").

History

Lanquín was on 28 August 1542 by Dominicans in place of an earlier settlement called Lamquim Kekchi ( " Stohdorf " ) was founded. Until 1550, the first church dedicated to St. Augustine, but shortly thereafter fell victim to a fire originated. With the construction of a new church was started in 1574 in Spanish Colonial style. Large parts of the church were destroyed by an earthquake in 1810. 1843 Lanquín was elevated to municipality in 1956 because of its attractions to the National Park, National Monument in 1970 and 1997 as a cultural monument.

Attractions

2 km west of Lanquín is a gigantic cave system ( Grutas de Lanquín ), the extent of which amounts to more than 100 km. Here arises the Río Lanquín which further opens a few kilometers at Los Encuentros, in the Río Cahabón. The infamous rafting trips on the Cahabón generally start at Lanquín. 11 km south of the town is the tourist attraction of Semuc Champey.

Economy and Transport

Lanquín is located about 63 km east-northeast of Coban, the capital of Alta Verapaz. From there it can be reached via the here partly poorly developed national road 5 over San Pedro Carcha and Pajal. In Pajal off to the right a steep branch line to Lanquín. The village benefits from tourism. Of great importance is agriculture.