San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán
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Municipality
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 San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán
Location in Guatemala
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| Country |  Guatemala |
| Department |  El Progreso |
| Municipality | San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal |
| Area | |
| • Municipality | 124 km2 (48 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 2,110 m (6,920 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 250 m (820 ft) |
| Population
(Census 2002)
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| • Municipality | 6,129 |
| • Urban | 1,846 |
| • Religions | Roman Catholicism Evangelicalism |
| Time zone | UTC-6 |
| Climate | BSh |
| Website | Municipality site |
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán is a town in the El Progreso department of Guatemala. It is located on the northern bank of the Motagua River. The town sits at an altitude of 250 meters (820 feet) above sea level.
In 2002, San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán had a population of 6,129 people. The town covers an area of about 124 square kilometers (48 square miles). It shares borders with San Agustín Acasaguastlán to the northwest, Usumatlán to the east, and El Jicaro to the south. The town is also located on the main inter-ocean highway (CA-9), about 101 kilometers (63 miles) from Guatemala City.
Contents
A Look at San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán's History
The history of San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán began with the Mayan culture. The people here were connected to the ancient Mayan cities of Copán and Quiriguá.
Early Settlements and Cultural Mix
Around the 9th and 10th centuries AD, the Nahua people moved into the area near San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán. This led to a mix of cultures and the development of a local language called Alaguilac.
The Spanish Arrival
When the Spanish arrived, they founded the town of San Cristóbal. They moved the local people from their original town to smaller settlements in the mountains. The original town of Acasaguastlán was a very important and sacred place for the Maya. It didn't have large buildings, only mounds, similar to those found in Guaytán.
The Spanish built their new town of San Cristóbal in the area that was once the ancient Acasaguastlán province. The town's main square was even the site of a protest for independence in 1812.
Becoming Part of El Progreso
After Guatemala became independent from Spain in 1821, San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán was part of the Zacapa Department. Later, in 1934, a new department called El Progreso was created, and San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán became a part of it.
You can find some beautiful examples of 16th-century Baroque architecture in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán and San Agustín Acasaguastlán.
Education in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán
San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán is special because, as of 2011, it was the only municipality in Guatemala to report a 100% literacy rate. This means everyone in the town could read and write!
The Historic Church
The colonial Cathedral of San Cristóbal was built in 1654. It is currently being restored to its former glory. The goal is to make it as beautiful as the famous cathedrals and churches in Antigua. The restoration work is fixing damage caused by a big earthquake in 1976.
See also
In Spanish: San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán para niños
