Zacatecoluca, La Paz

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Zacatecoluca is the capital municipality in the La Paz department of El Salvador. Located southern El Salvador, in the Rio Lempa valley, at the foot of San Vicente(Chichotepec)Volcano. A commercial centre for the surrounding agricultural area, it also trades in cotton goods, baskets, salt, and lumber.

An earthquake in 1932 caused severe damage.

Zacatecoluca was the birthplace of Jose Simeon Canas, who fought for and secured the emancipation of slaves in Central America by Spaniards in1825.

Zacatecoluca houses many traditional Spanish buildings including the Santa Lucia church and used to hold the house where Jose Simeon Canas lived, until poor economy due to the many years of war caused the local government to sell the house to a supermarket branch, the house was destroyed and a poorly marked stone on the left of the supermarket entrance is all that is left of Canas housing legacy.

Santa Luccia church holds a dear history to the people of Zacatecoluca, as virgin Mary placed on top is said to have stopped an eruption of a lava and ash from completely destroying the city and it's local. On May 11th, 1844, it received the title of Generous and Loyal City and that of Departmental Head of La Paz on February 21st, 1852.