San Andrés Itzapa () is a town, with a population of 24,992 (2018 census),Citypopulation.de Population of cities & towns in Guatemala and a municipality of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. San Andrés Itzapa is in the eastern region of Chimaltenango, while the district capital lies to the north, Acatenango lies to the south, and Parramos lies to the east . The municipality covers an area of 63.7 km2, with a total population of 32,083.
Origin of the name San Andrés Itzapa (Itzapa means flint) is an ancient town. The village is mentioned in the Annals of the Cakchiquels, written in 1571. The Spanish named the area "Itzapa y de San Andrés" in honor of their patron saint, the apostle San Andrés (Saint Andrew). The Spanish also called the area "Valle del Durazno" (Valley of the Peaches), as the prickly pears common in this area resembled the orchards of home.
Organization
San Andrés Itzapa administrative organizationSubdivisionNameDistance to municipal capital(in km)VillagesChicazanga5.4Chimachoy10.5Panimaquin7San José Calderas16.5Hierba Buena7El AguacateN/ASan José Los Corrales7Xeparquiy5San José Cajahualten9San Rafael12.5NeighborhoodsSan CristóbalN/A Located within the municipal capitalSan Pedro y San PabloSantísima TrinidadSan AntonioSan Lorenzo NorteSan Lorenzo SurResidentialcommunitiesEl Edén La Primavera Las Conchitas Colinas de San Andrés Canadá Navideña La Cuchilla La Pinada Los Encinos San Francisco El Stan
Languages Both Spanish and Kaqchikel are spoken, although migration from other regions has brought an influx of other languages, such as Kʼicheʼ and Tzʼutujil.
Flora and fauna
San Andrés Itzapa has several heavily forested areas, which include eucalyptus, poplars, pines, holly, oaks, cypress and other evergreen and deciduous species.
Plants found in San Andrés Itzapa include canaque, casuarina, conacaste, hormigo, gravilea, and palo blanco, as well as varieties of aloe.
Animals include coyote, armadillos, mountain lions, tisote, lynxes, goyoy, kinkajou, squirrels, raccoons, wild boars, dove, cayayes, pajuil, and pheasant.
Agricultural products Wheat, cotton, corn, beans, avocado, chayote, beet, radish, squash, carrot, broccoli, cabbage, coffee, and guaque Chile peppers are grown.
Crafts The municipality is rich in the craftsmanship of leather goods such as knife and machete sheaths, sandals, articles of jade, tables and chairs, ropemaking, and other items.
Celebrations
Convite (the last Saturday of January) Feria Titular (from 22 November to 1 December) Corpus Christi (late June) Corrida de Cintas (15 September) Maximón (28 October) Saint Andrew the Apostle (30 November)
Places of interest Xipacay bath Temple of San Simón
Volunteer Organizations DOCARE Clinic - An American non-profit medical outreach program operated by the American Osteopathic Association. This clinic was established in 2011 in conjunction with Guatemalan non-profit ASSADE, employs a full-time physician and nurse, and regularly hosts medical students and physician trainees from American programs as volunteer medical providers. Maya Pedal - small local NGO dedicated to supporting rural development through the design and production of pedal-powered machines, or bicimaquinas. As of September 2012, Maya Pedal recently underwent an organizational change; please refer to the website or Facebook page for more information. Project Genesis - Local nonprofit that provides education and community development programs to the children of San Andrés and the surrounding villages. It aims to build a school and begin employing full-time teachers. The project currently relies on international volunteers and was founded by Ricardo Armas, who lives in Jocotenango.
Climate
San Andrés Itzapa has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen: Cwb).
Geographic location
San Andrés Itzapa is surrounded by Chimaltenango Department municipalities:
See also
List of places in Guatemala
Notes and references
References