Jalapa, Jalapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jalapa
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Catholic church in Jalapa
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 Jalapa, Jalapa
Location in Guatemala
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| Country |  Guatemala |
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| Department |  Jalapa |
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| Population
(2018)
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159,840 | ||
| Climate | Aw | ||
Jalapa is an important city in Guatemala. It is the main city and capital of the Jalapa department. It is also the center of the Jalapa municipality.
Jalapa is about 97 kilometers (60 miles) away from Guatemala City. This distance is measured by the shortest route, which is through the Atlantic Highway.
People of Jalapa
In 1850, about 3,500 people lived in Jalapa. The city has grown a lot since then.
According to the 2018 census, the population of Jalapa reached 159,840 people.
Religion and the Cathedral
The main church in Jalapa is called Nuestra Señora de la Expectación. This church is a cathedral. It is the official seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalapa (Guatemala). This means it is where the bishop of the area has his main church.
Weather and Location
The city of Jalapa is built in a valley. It is surrounded by the Jumay volcano and several mountains. These include the Alcoba, Arluta, and Jalapa Mountains.
Because of its location in a valley and its height above sea level (1,362 meters or 4,469 feet), Jalapa has a mild and pleasant climate.
What Jalapa Produces
The economy of Jalapa mainly depends on farming and raising animals. The Jalapa department is known for growing corn and beans. These are very important foods for people in Guatemala.
Farmers in Jalapa also grow many fruits. These include peaches, apples, blackberries, bananas, and avocados. They also grow vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower. Many of these fruits and vegetables are sent to El Salvador.
Jalapa is also famous for its dairy products. It makes delicious cheese, especially queso seco. This is a drier type of fresh cheese. Another special product is mantequilla de costal, which means "sack butter." This butter is mostly made in towns like Monjas, San Manuel Chaparrón, San Carlos Alzatate, and Jalapa itself.
