San Jorge, Zacapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Jorge
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Municipality
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 San Jorge
Location in Guatemala
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| Country |  Guatemala |
| Department |  Zacapa |
| Gazetted | 21 February 2014 |
| Seat | San Jorge |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 82.27 km2 (31.76 sq mi) |
| Elevation
(of seat)
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210 m (690 ft) |
| Population
(2018 Census)
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| • Total | 12,304 |
| • Estimate
(2018)
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13,045 |
| • Density | 149.556/km2 (387.35/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
| Website | Official website: http://munisanjorge.gob.gt/ |
San Jorge is a town and a special area (called a municipality) in Guatemala. It is part of the Zacapa department. San Jorge is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of the main city of Zacapa.
Contents
Exploring San Jorge's Geography
San Jorge is located at the bottom of hills. These hills are on the south side of the Motagua River valley. This area is just south of where the Motagua River meets the Río Grande de Zacapa.
Neighboring Areas and Size
San Jorge shares borders with other towns in Zacapa. To the west is Huité, to the north is Estanzuela, and to the east is Zacapa. To the south, it borders the city of Chiquimula, which is the capital of the Chiquimula Department. The whole municipality of San Jorge covers an area of 82.27 square kilometers (31.76 square miles).
Landscapes and Forests
The land in San Jorge is quite varied. The northern and western parts have flat plains. But the east and south have mountains with steep valleys. Forests cover a large part, about 41%, of the land in San Jorge. The lowest point in the municipality is where the main town of San Jorge sits. It is 210 meters (689 feet) above sea level.
Waterways and Environment
Many streams, called quebradas, flow through San Jorge. The longest one is the Quebrada San Juan. It flows for 24 kilometers (15 miles) from the El Gigante mountain to the Río Grande de Zacapa. Many of these streams only flow during the rainy season. Even the ones that flow all year have much less water when it's dry. Sadly, all these streams are very polluted by waste. This is a big environmental problem for the area. There is no water treatment plant in San Jorge.
Climate and Weather
San Jorge has a tropical climate. The average temperature each year is about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit). The air is usually quite humid, around 74%. March and April are the hottest months of the year. Like the rest of the Zacapa Department, San Jorge does not get much rain. The average rainfall is 470 millimeters (18.5 inches) per year. The wet season is short, lasting from June to October.
A Look at San Jorge's History
People started settling in the plains of San Jorge in the 1600s. They came to raise cattle and grow corn. One of the first settlers was Nicolás de Peralta y Cisneros. He started two large farms, called haciendas, named San Juan and San Nicolás. He also became the first local priest in 1661.
Name Changes Over Time
From the 1700s, the area was known as Llanetillos. This name stayed until 1935. In that year, the people living there asked Jorge Ubico, who was the leader at the time, to change the name to San Jorge. He agreed. In 1996, San Jorge built its first system to get water from underground.
Becoming a Municipality
On January 28, 2014, the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala made San Jorge its own municipality. Before this, it was part of the Zacapa municipality. The official announcement was published on February 21, 2014. The new status for San Jorge became official eight days later.
Understanding San Jorge's Population
In the 2018 Guatemalan Census, San Jorge had a total population of 12,304 people. The census estimated that about 9.0% of people might have been missed. After the census, the National Institute of Statistics estimated that San Jorge's population in 2018 was actually around 13,045 people.
San Jorge's Culture and Traditions
San Jorge has many special traditions, especially during Holy Week. This time includes parades and the creation of beautiful sawdust carpets on the streets. People also enjoy traditional food and dancing.
Local Celebrations and Fun Activities
Each small village within the municipality celebrates its own patron saint's day. These celebrations often include dances and beauty pageants. Other popular activities in San Jorge are bullfighting, jaripeo (a type of rodeo), cockfighting, and horse shows.
Economy and Daily Life in San Jorge
The main crops grown in San Jorge to sell are cantaloupes and watermelons. These fruits are sent to the United States through the port of Santo Tomás. They are also sold at a big market in Villa Nueva to buyers from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Farmers also grow corn, beans, sorghum, and peppers for people to eat locally.
Roads and Transportation
A paved road, ZAC-8, connects the main town of San Jorge to Central America Highway 10. This highway is just outside the town of Zacapa. However, most other roads in San Jorge are not paved.
See also
In Spanish: San Jorge (Zacapa) para niños
