Tecpán Guatemala

Tecpán Guatemala (locally referred to as just Tecpán) is a municipality in the department of Chimaltenango, in Guatemala, on the Inter-American Highway CA-1.

The climate is generally cold. It is characterized as a tourist destination, with some fame derived from its landscapes, varied vegetation and from being on an access route to Iximché archaeological site.

History

Tecpán is known as the "first capital of Guatemala". This claim is based on the fact that the first permanent Spanish military center of the nation was based here. While not really a government center, the base was set here due to the difficulty that the Spanish had in defeating the Cakquikel (Kaqchikel) Mayans. The remains of the Cakquikel capital city, Iximché, lies only a few kilometers away from the city on a high hill.

Demographics

Tecpán currently is one of the larger municipalities in the nation, due to its far geographical reach to the northeast corner of its department, Chimaltenango. Its population is over 90% indigenous, mostly descendants of the Kaqchikel Maya.