Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Yesterday at the end of the visit to Chiapas, Mexico we returned to Guatemala. This morning we continued
Quetzaltenango (Spanish: Quetzaltenango, also known as Xelaj ú) is the second largest city in Guatemala, after Guatemala City, and the capital of Quetzaltenango Province. The city is located at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. In the period before the Spanish conquest, the city belonged to the Maya and was named after it during the Spanish conquest it was then at least 300 years old. In the area of ​​1520 the conqueror Pedro de Alvarado conquered the city with the help of Indian allies, and named the city in their language, in the Navatl language, Quettenango. Although it became the official name of the city, many, especially the Indians, continued to call it by its original name.
Between 1838 and 1840, the city was the capital of Los Altos, part of the Federal Republic of Central America. When the latter disbanded, the Guatemalan army led by Rafael Carrera conquered Los Altos. In 1850 the city had about 20,000 inhabitants.
During the 19th century coffee growing became a major industry in the local economy that grew because of it. Katsaltenango is an important economic and industrial center in Guatemala. In addition to the industry, the city’s economy relies on agriculture from fields in the area, where coffee, corn, sesame seeds and rice are grown, among other things.
On the way to her town (Katsaltenango) we visited villages where the Mayans live.

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