Metapán

Iglesia de San Pedro in Metapán

Metapán is a municipality in the Santa Ana department of El Salvador.

Geography

The city of Metapan, next to the San Jose River, at 470 meters of height, is located at 46 kilometers to the north of Santa Ana city, joined together by a paved highway. The municipality extends beyond the city and into the country surrounding the city. The major Hydroelectric Power station at the Guajoyo river is located in Metapán.

Overview

Metapan means in nahuat “River of maguey” and is famous for possessing the best colonial church in El Salvador. The church has the following dimensions: 60 yards long by 14 wide, of entablature and tile, Doric and Tuscan order. Its construction began in 1736 and concluded on June 11, 1743, due to the zeal and compassionate efficiency of the priest Francisco Javier Estrada.

In the center of the round of the choir it is read: “this building of Metapan was finished in June of 1743”, with blue blurred letters. There is also an image of “El Señor Angue”, a beautiful sculpture of Crucified Christ that dates back to the 17th century.In recent years though there has been a large growth of Pentecostal Protestants, and continues growing.

Metapan is the third most important municipality in the department of Santa Ana. It is also known as the biggest municipality in the whole country. At a nationwide level, it is considered "Ciudad Blanca" ("The white City"), for its high production of Calcium Oxide.

Sport

Metapán is home to football team A.D. Isidro Metapán. Isidro Metapán recently has emerged as one of the top clubs of El Salvador, having won a total of five first division titles in the last eight seasons.

External links

• Municipal website (Spanish)
• Tourist information on Metapán (English)

Coordinates: 14°20′N 89°27′W / 14.333°N 89.45°W / 14.333; -89.45