Jalapa, Jalapa

Jalapa
Jalapa
Country	Guatemala
Department	Jalapa
Climate	Aw

Jalapa is a city in Guatemala. It is the capital of the department of Jalapa; it is also the municipal seat of that department's municipality of Jalapa.

It is located 174 kilometres (108 mi) from Guatemala City. However, there is a shorter road from Guatemala City to Jalapa using Atlantic Highway and then going south (exit toward the city of Sanarate). This way Jalapa is only around 97 kilometres (60 mi), from Guatemala City.

Population

As of 1850, the population of Jalapa was approximately 3,500.^[1] As of 2002, the town's population reached 122,483.

Religion

Its cathedral Nuestra Señora de la Expectación is the episcopal see of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalapa (Guatemala).

Climate

The city of Jalapa was built in a valley, surrounded by the Jumay volcano and the mountains of Alcoba and Arluta and the Jalapa Mountains. For this reason and its altitude, 1,362 meters above sea level, the weather is mild temperate; it is never too cold and never too hot.

Economy

The local economy is based on agricultural and livestock products. The department of Jalapa produces corn and beans which are the main diet of Guatemalans, but also produces fruits such as peaches, apples, blackberries, bananas, avocados and vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, most of which are exported to El Salvador. Jalapa also produces dairy products and is famous for its cheese, especially queso seco ("dry cheese", a drier version of queso fresco) and mantequilla de costal ("sack butter"), which is produced mainly in Monjas, San Manuel Chaparrón, San Carlos Alzatate and Jalapa.