Guazacapán Explained

Official Name:Guazacapán
Settlement Type:Municipality and town
Pushpin Map:Guatemala
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Guatemala
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Guatemala
Subdivision Name1: Santa Rosa
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:130
Population As Of:2018 census
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:18855
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Urban:12195
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Coordinates:14.0667°N -115°W
Blank Name:Climate
Blank Info:Aw

Guazacapán (pronounced as /es/) is a town located in Santa Rosa Department in south-west Guatemala.Guazacapán is also the name of the municipality in Santa Rosa Department around the town of Guazacapán. The municipality of Guazacapán covers an area of 130 km2 with a population of 18,855, according to the 2018 census.

History

The town dates back to pre-Columbian times, being in existence prior to the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadores in the 16th century.

Guazacapán is known for the supposed witchcraft that used to be widely practiced by the indigenous people. The last of the great wizards, Pedro Dávila, died in 1974, and the craft is quickly being forgotten. There are still a few people who practice "white magic" in Guazacapán.

The Guazacapán area was once inhabited by Xinca, one of Guatemala's indigenous groups. They settled there after the Pipil. Currently, there are efforts being made to teach the ancient Xinca language to the newer generations. There is in the town a rich history, and the people who live there keep that history alive through celebrations that incorporate traditional costume, marimba music and folkloric dance.

References

  1. https://www.citypopulation.de/en/guatemala/admin/ Citypopulation.de

14.0667°N -115°W