Yucuaiquín
| Yucuaiquín | ||
|---|---|---|
| Municipality | ||
| ||
 Location of the municipality of Yucuaiquín | ||
  Yucuaiquín Location in El Salvador | ||
| Coordinates: 13°33′N 88°0′W / 13.550°N 88.000°W | ||
| Country |
 El Salvador | |
| Department | La Unión Department | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 21.31 sq mi (55.18 km2) | |
| Population (2007) | ||
| • Total | 7,294 | |
Yucuaiquín is a municipality in La Unión Department of El Salvador. It has a total area of 55.2 square kilometres (21 sq mi) and a population of 7,294. It is located at an altitude of 450 metres (1,480 ft) AMSL.
Name
Yucuaiquín is a native word that is derived from two roots of the Poton Language: "Yuku" meaning fire and "Aykin" meaning land or town. So, the name has been interpreted to mean 'Town of Fire', that is according to the historian Jorge Lardé y Larín.
Historically, the name has evolved: in 1549 it was known as Yncuayquín, soon Inquiaquín (1573), Yoayquín (1577), Yocoaiquín (1689) and Jucuaiquín or Yucquín.
History
When the Spaniards arrived, Yucuaiquín was located in a valley called "Llano Grande". The area was populated by Indians of the Lenca culture, leading to a war that lasted over twenty years and the destruction of the Lenca culture in the region. It obtained the village title on April 28, 1926. On February 15, 2002, it officially became a city.
Politics
The current Mayor of Yucuaiquín is Oscar Rene Mendoza, who is affiliated with the FMLN party.
Administrative divisions
The municipality is divided into 9 cantons and 1 city:
City:
- Yucuaiquín (Administrative Capital)
Cantons:
- Candelaria
- Ciricuario
- El Carmen
- La Cañada
- Las Cruces
- Las Marías
- Los Hatillos
- Tepemechin
- Valle Nuevo
Each canton is subdivided into caseríos (like a neighbourhood).
Culture
Spanish is the only language of Yucuaiquín. The Roman Catholic Church plays an important role in the Yucuaiquinense culture, but it's not the only Christian Church on Yucuaiquín, there are another Protestants Churches too, as Jehovah's Witnesses, Assemblies of God and Seventh-day Adventists.
On October Yucuaiquinenses celebrate their "Fiestas Patronales" in honor of their patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi.
Sister city
External links
Coordinates: 13°33′N 88°00′W / 13.550°N 88.000°W
Capital: La Unión | ||
| Municipalities |  | |