Sacatepequez Department trip planner

Sacatepéquez is one of the 22 departments of Guatemala. Population estimate 265,500 in 2000. The name comes from Sacatepéquez, a city from November 21, 1542 until July 29, 1773 when it was destroyed by the 1773 Guatemalan Earthquake (San Martha Earthquake). Sacatepéquez means grasshill in the Pipil Maya dialect. The capital of Sacatepéquez is Antigua Guatemala which is home to an extensive textile marketplace and Plaza Major. Other important cities include Ciudad Vieja and San Lucaswhich is also hosts another popular marketplace and is a culinary attraction. The Chajoma were a group of indeginous people who were Kaqchikel speaking Indians identified Mixco Viejo as their capital, and spread throughout the Sacatepequez Department until their capital was moved to Ciudad Vieja, in Antigua.EtymologySacatepéquez has also been called Zacatepeques.PopulationAs of 1850, the area had a population of an estimated 56,000. The southern area has the largest population, which is closer to Guatemala City.