Ipala, Guatemala facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ipala
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Municipality
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Town hall
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 Ipala, Guatemala
Location in Guatemala
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| Country |  Guatemala |
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| Department | .png){kind=small} Chiquimula |
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| Area | ||
| • Municipality | 94 sq mi (243 km2) | |
| Population
(2018 census)
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| • Municipality | 22,413 | |
| • Density | 238.9/sq mi (92.23/km2) | |
| • Urban | 5,932 | |
| Climate | Aw | |
Ipala is a town and a municipality located in the Chiquimula department of Guatemala. It is a vibrant community with a rich culture and history.
Contents
Geography and Landscape
Ipala is about a 30-minute ride by microbus from the city of Chiquimula. You travel south towards Jutiapa to reach it. Close to the base of the Ipala volcano, the land is rocky with lava and many cacti.
Many small villages, called aldeas, surround Ipala. People from these villages come to the city center every Sunday for market day. This is a busy time for buying and selling goods.
Economy and Daily Life
The economy of Ipala mainly depends on farming. The harvest, known as la cosecha, is a very important event for families. Most families grow corn and beans. They use these crops for their own food and to trade with others.
Inside Ipala, there are several neighborhoods, called barrios. Some well-known ones include El Maestro, El Suyate, and La Cruzita. The main street, la calle principal, is busy with restaurants, clothing stores, and jewelry shops. The people of Ipala are mostly camperos (people from the countryside) and ladinos (people of mixed Indigenous and European heritage). Unlike some parts of Northern Guatemala where many different languages are spoken, in Ipala, only Spanish is used.
Education and Learning
Ipala has two public schools for younger students, from kindergarten up to 6th grade. There is also a public school called "INEBI" for students from 7th to 9th grade. In the afternoons, this school becomes "ICOMA," which helps students who are studying to become teachers.
Another public school, "Colegio Proyeccion," offers classes in the afternoon and evening for future teachers. Ipala also has three private middle schools and high schools. These schools are "Colegio Sinai," "Colegio Católico," and "Colegio Ipalteco." They have morning classes for middle school and afternoon classes for high school.
Young people in Ipala also form active groups that focus on sports and helping the community. Groups like "La tortilla tieza" and "Los monquis" have been active since 2002. Many members have moved away, but those who remain have formed a new group called "Rosario Central," which is very active today.
Fun Things to Do and See
When you visit Ipala, you can check out "La Posa de la Pila." This is a bathing area in the river, about 1 kilometer south of a road fork. You can find safe food and water at any local shop, called a tienda. There is also a "Chévere," which is a popular hamburger place across from the Catholic Church.
Many people from Guatemala also visit the Ipala Volcano. It is about 5 kilometers from the main town of Ipala. The volcano is famous for its wide top, which holds a lake called "La laguna del volcan de Ipala." The volcano is about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high.
Ipala also has a traditional yearly festival called the "Feria." It has many unique activities and lasts for about a week. The main day of the festival is January 23rd, but it usually starts on January 21st.
Sports and Games
The town of Ipala offers many sports for its residents. Soccer is the most popular sport, with a major league for different communities. Basketball and volleyball are also very popular.
Sister Cities
Ipala has a special program with Riverdale Park, Maryland in the United States. They are sister cities. In July 2009, five teachers from Prince George's County visited Ipala. They taught English and trained local teachers. This program has continued every summer since 2009, helping students learn English.
See also
In Spanish: Ipala para niños
