Uspantán facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Uspantán
Municipality
Amphitheater and Cathedral overlooking parque central after a rain. (2007)
Uspantán Location in Guatemala
Country	Guatemala
Department	El Quiché
Municipality	San Miguel Uspantán
Government
• Type	Municipal
Area
• Municipality	860 km2 (330 sq mi)
Elevation	1,825 m (5,988 ft)
Highest elevation	2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Lowest elevation	500 m (1,600 ft)
Population  (Census 2018)
• Municipality	65,872
• Density	76.6/km2 (198.4/sq mi)
• Urban	6,664
• Ethnicities	Uspantek K'iche' Ixil Q’eqchi’ Ladino
• Religions	Roman Catholicism Evangelicalism Maya
Climate	Cwb

Uspantán is a large area in Guatemala. It is called a municipality. You can find it in the El Quiché part of the country.

Uspantán is one of the biggest municipalities in El Quiché. It stretches from tall mountains in the south to warm, tropical lowlands in the north. The main town, Villa de San Miguel Uspantán, has about 2,800 people.

A famous person, Rigoberta Menchú, was born here. She won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Her hometown, Laj Chimel, is close to the main town. Recently, a paved road was finished. This has brought more visitors to Uspantán.

History of Uspantán

Uspantán has a very old history. It was once home to the Maya people. They lived here long before Christopher Columbus arrived.

Ancient Maya Site

The area includes an old Maya site called Chitinamit. Many people believe this was Jakawitz. Jakawitz was the first capital city of the K'iche' Maya. This shows how important Uspantán was in ancient times.

Geography and Climate

Uspantán is located in a diverse region. It has both high mountains and low, warm areas. This mix creates different types of environments.

Elevation and Landscape

The elevation in Uspantán varies a lot. It ranges from about 500 meters (1,640 feet) to 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. The main town is at 1,825 meters (5,988 feet). This means you can find different plants and animals depending on the height.

Weather Patterns

Uspantán has a mild climate. It is known as a subtropical highland climate. This means it's usually warm but not too hot. There are often rainy seasons and drier periods.

People and Culture

Uspantán is home to many different groups of people. This makes its culture very rich and interesting.

Different Ethnic Groups

Several ethnic groups live in Uspantán. These include the Uspantek, K'iche', Ixil, and Q’eqchi’ people. There are also Ladino people. Each group has its own traditions and languages.

Beliefs and Religions

People in Uspantán follow different religions. Many are Roman Catholic or Evangelical. Some also practice the traditional Maya beliefs. These different faiths add to the community's unique spirit.

Government and Leadership

Like other municipalities, Uspantán has its own local government. This government helps manage the area.

Local Leadership

The leader of the municipality is called the Alcalde. The current Alcalde is Víctor Hugo Figueroa. He helps make decisions for the people of Uspantán.

See also

In Spanish: Uspantán para niños