Sacatepéquez Department

Sacatepéquez
Department
Flag Coat of arms
Sacatepéquez
Country	Guatemala
Department	Antigua Guatemala
Capital	Antigua Guatemala
Municipalities	16
Government
• Type	Departmental
Population (Census 2002)
• Religions	Roman Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Maya
Time zone	-6

Sacatepéquez (Spanish pronunciation: [sakateˈpekes]) is one of the 22 departments of Guatemala. Population estimate 265,500 in 2000. The name comes from Sacatepéquez, a city from November 21, 1542 until July 29, 1773 when it was destroyed by the Santa Marta earthquake. Sacatepéquez means grasshill in the Pipil Maya dialect. The capital of Sacatepéquez is Antigua Guatemala. Other important cities include Ciudad Vieja.

Etymology

Sacatepéquez has also been called Zacatepeques.

Population

As of 1850, the area had a population of an estimated 56,000. The southern area has the largest population, which is closer to Guatemala City.

Municipalities

1. Alotenango
2. Antigua Guatemala
3. Ciudad Vieja
4. Jocotenango
5. Magdalena Milpas Altas
6. Pastores
7. San Antonio Aguas Calientes
8. San Bartolomé Milpas Altas
9. San Lucas Sacatepéquez
10. San Miguel Dueñas
11. Santiago Sacatepéquez
12. Santa Catarina Barahona
13. Santa Lucía Milpas Altas
14. Santa María de Jesús
15. Santo Domingo Xenacoj
16. Sumpango

Geography

The area is mountainous, with what the British described, in 1850, as a "mild climate." Rivers include: Guacalate, Los Encuentros, Las Cañas, Pensativo y Sumpango.

Economy

The more populated areas produce fruit and various crops, including maize. Livestock is also raised, with trade going towards Guatemala City. The southern area of the department produces coffee, sugar, tobacco, and cotton. As of 1850, products were being shipped out of Iztapa.

See also

• Chajoma