Canillá

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The Mayan ruins at Chijoj

Canillá is a municipality in the Guatemalan department of El Quiché.

People in Canillá speak Spanish, the Mayan language K'ichee', or both. Primary religions are Catholic and Evangelical.

[edit] Economy

Canillá is an isolated city dependent on subsistence farming. Crops include corn, platanos, and other tropical fruits and vegetables. The small central city has the Municipal offices, a library, post office, and stores, including telephone services. Manufacturing includes brick making.

The central plaza of Canillá, 2006-11-10.

The roads from Canillá are dirt roads that run on the sides on mountains. They suffer from erosion, potholes and landslides. Extreme caution is warranted. The poor roads mean that Canillá does not have access to markets, and employment opportunities are few.

Many people from Canillá travel for work, either to other areas of Guatemala, or to Mexico or the United States. One group from Canillá works in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

[edit] Mayan Ruins at Chijoj, called "Los Cerritos"

Outside Canillá past the Aldea Chijoj, are the Mayan ruins called "Los Cerritos." The name "Cerritos" is Spanish for "Little Hills." The ruins present several patters of pyramid, square and rectangle. It has a large sports field where Mayans used to play. It looks like a large swimming pool. The road from Canillá to Chijoj continues, in good weather, to the ruins.