San José Pinula Explained

Official Name:San José Pinula
Settlement Type:Municipality
Pushpin Map:Guatemala
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Guatemala
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Guatemala
Subdivision Name1:Guatemala (department)
Leader Title:Mayor
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:202
Population As Of:2018 census
Population Footnotes:[1]
Population Total:79844
Population Density Km2:auto
Population Blank2 Title:Religions
Elevation M:1740
Blank Name:Climate
Blank Info:Cwb

San José Pinula is a town, with a population of 67,327 (2018 census),[2] and a municipality in the Department of Guatemala in the Republic of Guatemala in Central America. It is located 21km (13miles) from the capital, Guatemala City. The city was established in 1886 as Villorio San José. The city is surrounded by mountains. Until a few years ago, the economy was based on the growing of corn, as well as some vegetables such as guisquil, chayote or pataste. However, the growth of Guatemala City in recent years has transformed farmland into suburban neighborhoods. Golf courses, such as Hacienda Nueva Country Club which used to be a convent in the 16th century and Alta Vista Country Club, both considered world-class, are now in and around San José Pinula.

The city is governed by municipal authorities elected every four years. The predominant religion in the region is Roman Catholic, followed by evangelical Protestant denominations. The patron saint and namesake of the town is San José (St. Joseph), whose day and is annually celebrated on March 19. Currently, the town of San José Pinula is coping with rapid growth which has resulted in increased traffic congestion in the mornings and evenings.

On March 8, 2017 there was a fire in a youth home filled with 500 children. There had been a riot about the conditions and about sexual abuse by the staff. 41 girls were killed.[3]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.citypopulation.de/en/guatemala/admin/ Citypopulation.de
  2. https://www.citypopulation.de/en/guatemala/cities/ Citypopulation.de
  3. Web site: Reynolds. Louisa. Why did 41 girls die at a Guatemalan youth shelter?. Al Jazeera. 5 November 2017. 18 April 2017.