Santa Cruz El Chol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Santa Cruz El Chol
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 Santa Cruz El Chol
Location in Guatemala
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| Country |  Guatemala |
| Department |  Baja Verapaz |
| Area | |
| • Total | 140 km2 (50 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,008 m (3,307 ft) |
| Population
(2002)
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| • Total | 8,460 |
| Climate | BSh |
Santa Cruz El Chol is a town and a municipality in the Baja Verapaz department of Guatemala. It is located about 1,008 meters (3,307 feet) above sea level. Around 8,817 people live there. The municipality covers an area of 140 square kilometers (54 square miles).
Contents
Exploring the History of Santa Cruz El Chol
Who Were the First Settlers?
The area was first called "Santa Cruz Belén de los Indios Choles." This means "Bethlehem Holy Cross of the Chole Indians." It was settled in 1603. This makes it one of the oldest Spanish towns in Guatemala.
How Did the Town of Santa Cruz Begin?
In the early 1700s, a friar named Francisco Ximénez wrote about the town's founding. In 1689, people from Cahabón went into the El Chol mountains. They wanted to settle the area. The mayor of Verapaz, Joseph Calvo de Lara, then founded the town. It was in the Urram valley, near Rabinal mountain. The local people called this spot "San Clemente and San Diego." There was a cross there, so the new town was named "Santa Cruz," meaning "Holy Cross."
What Languages Are Spoken Today?
In the 21st century, very few people in Santa Cruz El Chol speak the native languages. These include Achí, K'akchiquel, or K'iche'. However, in the 18th century, many more people spoke these languages. Some even spoke "Chol Lacandon," also known as "Choolí" or "Kholií."
Discovering Traditions and Festivals
What Are the Main Folkloric Dances?
Santa Cruz El Chol is known for its special folkloric dances. The most important ones are:
- "El Venado" (The Deer)
- "Los Animales" (The Animals)
- "El Costeño" (The Man from the Coast)
During Holy Week and the annual festival, you can see religious parades. People also make colorful carpets from dyed sawdust for these parades.
When Is the Annual Festival Celebrated?
The annual festival of Santa Cruz El Chol takes place on December 8. It honors the town's patron saint, the Holy Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. The festival is famous for its many activities. These include:
- Shopping and market stalls
- Sports events
- Cultural shows
- Social gatherings
- Religious ceremonies and parades
A special event is the "Romería." In this activity, people ride horses for three days from eastern Guatemala. They bring gifts, prayers, and special songs to the town's Catholic Church.
Understanding the Climate of El Chol
Santa Cruz El Chol has a hot semi-arid climate. This means it is generally warm and dry. It has a Köppen climate classification of BSh.
| Climate data for Santa Cruz El Chol | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26.9 (80.4) |
28.0 (82.4) |
29.6 (85.3) |
30.0 (86.0) |
29.5 (85.1) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.8 (82.0) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.7 (81.9) |
27.2 (81.0) |
27.1 (80.8) |
26.9 (80.4) |
28.1 (82.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 20.2 (68.4) |
20.9 (69.6) |
22.4 (72.3) |
23.3 (73.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.0 (73.4) |
22.6 (72.7) |
22.7 (72.9) |
22.4 (72.3) |
21.8 (71.2) |
21.0 (69.8) |
20.1 (68.2) |
22.0 (71.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.5 (56.3) |
13.9 (57.0) |
15.3 (59.5) |
16.7 (62.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
17.9 (64.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
17.1 (62.8) |
16.5 (61.7) |
14.9 (58.8) |
13.4 (56.1) |
16.0 (60.7) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 1 (0.0) |
3 (0.1) |
6 (0.2) |
21 (0.8) |
79 (3.1) |
180 (7.1) |
118 (4.6) |
74 (2.9) |
142 (5.6) |
74 (2.9) |
15 (0.6) |
2 (0.1) |
715 (28) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org | |||||||||||||
Where is Santa Cruz El Chol Located?
El Chol is located 52 kilometers (32 miles) east of Salamá. Salamá is the capital city of the Baja Verapaz Department.
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Rabinal Municipality of Baja Verapaz Department |
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| Granados Municipality of Baja Verapaz Department |
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Salamá Municipality of Baja Verapaz Department |
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 El Chol  |
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| Chuarrancho, San Raymundo Municipalities of Guatemala |
See also
- In Spanish: Santa Cruz el Chol para niños
