Escuintla facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Escuintla
Municipality
Escuintla, Guatemala
Flag Seal
Escuintla Location in Guatemala
Country	Guatemala
Department	Escuintla
Municipality	Escuintla
Government
• Type	Municipal
Area
• Municipality	545 km2 (210 sq mi)
Elevation	355 m (1,165 ft)
Population  (census 2018)
• Municipality	156,313
• Density	286.81/km2 (742.8/sq mi)
• Urban	156,313
• Religions	Roman Catholicism Evangelicalism
Climate	Am

Escuintla (Spanish pronunciation: [esˈkwintla]) is an industrial city in Guatemala, its land extension is 4,384 km², and it is nationally known for its sugar agribusiness. Its capital is a municipality with the same name. Citizens celebrate from December 6 to 9 with a small fair in honor to The Immaculate Conception.

In 2002 the city had a population of 86,678. It is located on the border of the central highlands and the Pacific coastal plain.

Etymology

Many of the names of the municipalities of Guatemala consist of one of two things: the name of a catholic saint to worship the day the city was founded or a description with Náhuatl roots. These influences are due to the troops in command of Pedro de Alvarado who invaded the region in 1520. These troops were composed of Spanish soldiers and indigenous Tlaxcaltecs.

The name Escuintla, comes from the indigenous language nahuatl «Itzcuintlán», which is a word composed of two words:

· «Itzcuintli»: means "dog"

· «tlan»: means "abundance"

Therefore, Escuintla means "abundance or place of dogs".

History

Escuintla used to be an important stop for trains going to Puerto San José until 2007.

Economy

The city is among the more industrialized areas of the country. One of the most important agricultural products of the region is sugar cane. Other products are tobacco, seafood, and cattle. Escuintla is bathed by the waters of the Pacific, and produces about 43 percent of gross domestic product of Guatemala, is statistically the department, province or region in Mesoamerica with lower unemployment and extreme poverty, this contrasts with the economic and social reality of Guatemala.

Geography

The city of Escuintla consists of 2 villages and 12 surrounding communities. The area includes 7 mountains, 55 rivers, 9 streams, and 21 brooks.

Geographic location

To the north of the municipality of Escuintla is Yepocapa (municipality of Chimaltenango) and Alotenango (municipality of Sacatepequez). To the East is Palin, San Vicente Pacaya, and Guanagazapa (municipality of Escuintla). To the south is Masagua (municipality of Escuintla). To the west is La Democracia, Siquinalá, and Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa (municipality of Escuintla).

Transportation

Today, the CA-2 and CA-9 highways cross here.

Sports

Juventud Escuintleca football club play their home games at the Estadio Ricardo Muñoz Gálvez. Most recently they have again been playing in the second tier of Guatemalan football.

Climate

Escuintla has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am).

Geographic location

		Yepocapa, Chimaltenango municipality Alotenango, Sacatepéquez municipality
	La Democracia, Siquinalá and Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla municipalities		Palín, San Vicente Pacaya and Guanagazapa, Escuintla municipalities
		Escuintla
		Masagua, Escuintla municipality