San Francisco Gotera, Morazán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Francisco Gotera
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Municipality
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San Francisco Gotera church
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 San Francisco Gotera
Location in El Salvador
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| Country |  El Salvador |
| Department | Morazán Department |
| Founded | 1875 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 59.76 km2 (23.07 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 301 m (988 ft) |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 21,049 |
| • Density | 352.23/km2 (912.26/sq mi) |
San Francisco Gotera (Spanish pronunciation: [saɱ fɾanˈsisko ɣoˈteɾa]) is a town in El Salvador. It is the capital city of the Morazán Department. This means it is the main city in the Morazán area.
Contents
Understanding the Name Gotera
The name "Gotera" comes from an old local language. It combines two words: "Got," which means "snake" or "serpent," and "era," meaning "hill." So, the name "Gotera" can be understood as "hill of snakes."
Long ago, the first people of Gotera lived on top of a hill called Coroban. You can still find old remains from their time there. Later, the old town of Gotera was given a new name, San Francisco, after a church. Today, people call the city San Francisco Gotera, or sometimes just Gotera.
A Look at Gotera's History
During the Salvadoran Civil War, a part of the town's park was changed into a military base. The rest of the park was paved. The military base was not used for many years.
In 2002, this old military base was turned into a city market. However, this market is now almost empty. A bigger, newer market was built in 2003. This new market is covered and has running water and trash collection. The current military base is located by the San Francisco River.
Gotera Today
San Francisco Gotera is the most important and largest town in the Morazán Department. It is home to the Destacamento Militar 4, which is a military base.
The city's main square is paved and surrounded by important buildings. These include the City Hall, the oldest Catholic church in town, an old movie theater that is no longer open, the government center, and the post office. Before 1980, the square was larger and had grass and many trees for shade.
Climate in San Francisco Gotera
San Francisco Gotera has a warm climate. The average temperature throughout the year is about 27.1 degrees Celsius (80.8 degrees Fahrenheit). The hottest months are March and April, with temperatures reaching around 37.7 to 37.8 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit). The coolest months are December and January.
The city experiences a lot of rain, especially from May to October. September is usually the wettest month, with over 400 millimeters (15 inches) of rain. The dry season is from December to March, with very little rainfall. The air is more humid during the rainy season.
Notable People from Gotera
- Juan Isolino Rosa (1914-2004), a famous composer and folklorist. He created music and studied local traditions.
Images for kids
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San Francisco Gotera church
See also
In Spanish: San Francisco Gotera para niños
