Jayaque facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jayaque
Municipality
Jayaque Location in El Salvador
Country	El Salvador
Department	La Libertad
Elevation	3,274 ft (998 m)
Population  (2007)
• Total	11,058

Jayaque is a municipality or town located in the La Libertad department of El Salvador. In 2007, about 11,058 people lived there. The town covers an area of approximately 47.9 square kilometers (18.5 square miles). It sits high up, at about 998 meters (3,215 feet) above sea level. The name Jayaque comes from an old language called Nahuatl. It means "Hill of the masked" or "Hill of the masks."

A Look Back at Jayaque's History

Early Days and Growth

Records from the 21st century tell us that the first people living in Jayaque moved there because of "several sicknesses" in their old home around the early 1700s. By 1770, about 578 people called the village home. Jayaque has been part of the La Libertad Department since January 28, 1865. It was officially named a city on May 18, 1926.

Changes Over Time

In the 1960s and 1970s, Jayaque was a very active town. It was a main center for money and education for all the nearby communities. But in the 1980s, due to political challenges, the town became less important. It took on a quieter role in the area's social and economic life.

Jayaque was not as badly affected by the Salvadoran Civil War (1979-1992) as some other places in El Salvador. Because of this, many people from areas hit harder by the war moved to Jayaque and its surroundings. This brought new challenges to the area.

Life in Jayaque Today

Economy and Daily Life

Jayaque's economy has always relied on growing coffee. The town is surrounded by many coffee farms. These farms have special places where fresh coffee is processed. The coffee beans are then prepared to be sent to other countries.

Faith and Celebrations

Like most of El Salvador, many people in Jayaque are Catholic. Every year in July, they hold celebrations to honor Saint Christopher, who is Jayaque's patron saint. The people of Jayaque also celebrate the "Festival of Los Cumpas" with their nearby towns, Cuisnahuat and Tepecoyo. This festival celebrates the friendship between these sister communities.

Some Protestant churches have also started in Jayaque. Their numbers grew a lot during and after the civil war. The Lutheran Church, which is quite small in El Salvador, has churches in Jayaque and in a nearby community called Dos de Mayo. These churches get support from the Lutheran Church in Penzberg, Germany. They also have connections with churches in Wisconsin, USA.

For many years, the pastors of the churches in Jayaque (Pan de Vida ILS) and Dos de Mayo (Montes de Penzberg ILS) were Francisco and Jesus Carrillo. Sadly, they passed away under difficult circumstances on November 4, 2006, just outside the church in Dos de Mayo. Many people consider them heroes for their faith. An investigation into their deaths was stopped in 2008. Pastor Blanca Irma Rodriguez was chosen to lead the churches after this tragic event.

See also

In Spanish: Jayaque para niños

Images for kids

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  View of city streets in Jayaque, La Libertad, El Salvador

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  Carrillo memorial across from Montes de Penzberg ILS in Dos de Mayo

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  Pan de Vida ILS Lutheran Church in Jayaque, La Libertad, El Salvador