Alta Verapaz Department

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Alta Verapaz
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settlement_type = Department
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image_shield =Coat of arms of Alta Verapaz.pngshield_size =
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mapsize = 200px
map_caption = Alta Verapaz


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pushpin_label_position =bottom
pushpin_map_caption =Location in Guatemala
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =
subdivision_type1 = Department
subdivision_name1 = Alta Verapaz
subdivision_type2 = Capital
subdivision_name2 = Cobán
subdivision_type3 = Municipalities
subdivision_name3 = 16
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government_type = Departmental
leader_title = Governor
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area_total_km2 = 8686
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population_as_of = Census 2002
population_footnotes = [cite web |url=http://www.ine.gob.gt/index.php?view=article&catid=42%3Ademografiaypoblacion&id=75%3Acenso2002&option=com_content&Itemid=69 |title=XI Censo Nacional de Poblacion y VI de Habitación (Censo 2002) |accessmonthday= |accessyear= |last= |first= |date=2002 |work= |publisher=INE ]
population_note =
population_total = 776246
population_density_km2 =
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population_urban = 163012
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population_blank1_title =Ethnicities
population_blank1 =Q'eqchi', poqomchi', Ladino
population_blank2_title =Religions
population_blank2 =Roman Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Maya
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timezone = -6
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latd=15 |latm=30 |lats= |latNS=N
longd=90|longm=20 |longs= |longEW=W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_max_m = 2800
elevation_min_m = 300
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footnotes = Alta Verapaz is a department in the north central part of Guatemala. The capital and chief city of the department is Cobán. Verapaz is bordered to the north by El Petén, to the east by Izabal, to the south by Zacapa, El Progreso, and Baja Verapaz, and to the west by El Quiché.

Also in Alta Verapaz are the towns of Chisec, San Pedro Carchá and San Cristóbal Verapaz.

History

In Pre-Columbian times this area was part of the Maya civilization. When the Spanish Conquistadores came in the 1520s they conquered the central and southern highlands of Guatemala, but were driven back from this region by fierce native resistance. Spanish friars asked the unsuspicious natives for a chance to "peacefully" convert the land to Christianity, which they succeeded in, giving the area the name "Verapaz" meaning "True Peace" since it was so cunningly brought to Christianity and control of the King of Spain without warfare. In the 19th century this became an important coffee producing region.

Municipalities

# Chahal
# Chisec
# Cobán
# Fray Bartolomé de las Casas
# Lanquín
# Panzós
# San Cristóbal Verapaz
# San Juan Chamelco
# San Pedro Carchá
# Santa Cruz Verapaz
# Santa María Cahabón
# Senahú
# Tactic
# Tamahú
# Tucurú
# Santa Catalina la Tinta

References

External links

* [http://www.inforpressca.com/municipal/mapas_web/alta-verapaz/altaverapaz.php Interactive map of the department]
* [http://donmoore.tripod.com/central/guatemala/verapaz.html Radio and Alta Verapaz, Guatemala - article by Don Moore]