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Sacatepéquez Department Departmento de Sacatepéquez | |
|---|---|
 From top to bottom, from left to right: Arch of Santa Catalina, Water Volcano, Defay Castle, Traditional Chicken Bus, Sumpango giant kites and Central Plaza of the Old City. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
 Sacatepéquez in Guatemala | |
| Country |  Guatemala |
| Capital and largest city | Antigua |
| Municipalities | 16 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Departmental |
| Area | |
| 465 km2 (180 sq mi) | |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
| 330,469 | |
| • Density | 711/km2 (1,840/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 292,366 |
| • Religions | Roman CatholicismEvangelicalismMaya |
| Time zone | UTC-6 |
Sacatepéquez (Spanish pronunciation:[sa.ka.teˈpe.kes]) is one of the 22departments ofGuatemala. The name comes fromSacatepéquez, a city from November 21, 1542, until July 29, 1773, when it was destroyed by the1773 Guatemala earthquake.
The capital of the department isAntigua Guatemala. Other important cities includeCiudad Vieja andSan Lucas Sacatepéquez, which also hosts a marketplace and is a culinary attraction. TheChajoma were a group of indigenous people who wereKaqchikel speaking Maya, they identifiedMixco Viejo as their capital, and spread throughout the Sacatepequez Department until their capital was moved toCiudad Vieja, in Antigua.
The nameSacatepéquez is derived from aNahuatl word which means "grasshill", referring to the hilly terrain in the department. It has also been spelledZacatepeques.[2]
Sacatepéquez Department has a population of 330,469 (2018 census).[1] 40.2% of the population identifies asMaya, with 37.7% belonging to theKaqchikel Maya.[3] In 1850, the area had a population of an estimated 56,000. The southern area, which is closer toGuatemala City, has the largest population.[4]
| # | Municipality | Population (2018) | Density (/km²) | Area (km2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Antigua | 46,054 | 667/km2 | 69 |
| 2 | Sumpango | 37,260 | 601/km2 | 62 |
| 3 | Ciudad Vieja | 33,405 | 1,237/km2 | 27 |
| 4 | Santiago Sacatepéquez | 29,238 | 812/km2 | 36 |
| 5 | San Lucas Sacatepéquez | 23,986 | 959/km2 | 25 |
| 6 | Alotenango | 23,369 | 615/km2 | 38 |
| 7 | Santa María de Jesús | 21,938 | 954/km2 | 23 |
| 8 | Jocotenango | 21,657 | 2,166/km2 | 10 |
| 9 | Pastores | 17,814 | 938/km2 | 19 |
| 10 | Santa Lucía Milpas Altas | 15,570 | 819/km2 | 19 |
| 11 | San Miguel Dueñas | 12,696 | 282/km2 | 45 |
| 12 | Santo Domingo Xenacoj | 12,402 | 653/km2 | 19 |
| 14 | Magdalena Milpas Altas | 11,856 | 624/km2 | 19 |
| 13 | San Antonio Aguas Calientes | 11,347 | 1,621/km2 | 7 |
| 15 | San Bartolomé Milpas Altas | 7,816 | 1,563/km2 | 5 |
| 16 | Santa Catarina Barahona | 4,061 | 131/km2 | 31 |
| Sacatepéquez | 330,469[5] | 725/km² | 454 km2 |
The area ismountainous, with what theBritish described, in 1850, as a "mild climate."[2] Guatemala hosts a chain of active and dormant volcanoes, with those in Sacatepequez including Acatenago, Volcan De Agua (Volcano of Water), and Volcan de Fuego (Volcano of Fire).[6]Jocotes, a fruit of thecashew family, grow in the region.[7]
The more populated areas producefruit and various crops, includingmaize.Livestock is also raised, with trade going towards Guatemala City. The southern area of the department producescoffee,sugar,tobacco, andcotton. As of 1850, products were being shipped out ofIztapa.[4] Although Guatemala is able to produce cash crops such as bananas and textiles, 72% of people living in rural areas live in poverty with 31% of them reaching extreme poverty.[8]
Sacatepéquez is also home to theNational Museum of Guatemalan Art, which is located inAntigua Guatemala.[9][10]
Media related toSacatepéquez Department at Wikimedia Commons | ||
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14°33′24″N90°44′02″W / 14.5566666667°N 90.7338888889°W /14.5566666667; -90.7338888889
