Quetzaltenango
Quetzaltenango
Xelajú (K'iche') | |
|---|---|
Municipality and city | |
Historical buildings, Streets, Minerva Temple, Arch sixth state of Los Altos, Interior of Municipal Theater and Historical center. | |
Quetzaltenango Location in Guatemala Quetzaltenango Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango Department) | |
| Coordinates: 14°50′40″N 91°30′05″W / 14.84444°N 91.50139°W | |
| Country | Guatemala |
| Department | Quetzaltenango |
| Spanish foundation | 15 May 1524 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Mayor | Juan Fernando López, Partido Humanista |
| Area | |
• Municipality and city | 122 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,330 m (7,640 ft) |
| Population (2018 census) | |
• Municipality and city | 180,706 |
| • Rank | 6th in Guatemala |
| • Density | 1,480/km2 (3,840/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 748,174 |
| Demonym | Quetzalteco/a |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central America) |
| Postal code | 09001 |
| Climate | Oceanic climate: subtropical highland variety (Cwb) |
Quetzaltenango (Spanish pronunciation: [keˌtsal.teˈnaŋ.ɡo], also known by its Maya name Xelajú [ʃelaˈχu] or Xela [ˈʃela]) is a municipality and namesake department in western Guatemala. The city is located in a mountain valley at an elevation of 2,330 meters (7,640 feet) above sea level at its lowest part. Inside the city, it can reach above 2,400 m (7,900 ft).
Quetzaltenango is a part of the Los Altos Metropolitan Area, which also includes the municipalities of Salcajá, Cantel, Almolonga, Zunil, Concepción Chiquirichapa, San Mateo, La Esperanza, San Juan Ostuncalco, Olintepeque, San Miguel Sigüilá, and Cajolá in Quetzaltenango Department, as well as San Cristóbal Totonicapán and San Andrés Xecul in Totonicapán Department.
As of the 2018 census, the city has a population of 180,706 in 122 km2 (47 sq mi). 43% of the population was indigenous in 2014.