Alegría, Mountain town in Usulután, El Salvador.
Alegría is a mountain town situated at 1,200 meters elevation in a volcanic region of El Salvador. The area is known for numerous plant nurseries that cultivate tropical flowers including birds of paradise and orchids.
The town was originally known as Tecapa before gaining city status in 1891. A philosophy school established by Professor José Miguel Alegría in 1838 shaped intellectual life in the region.
The town hosts the Feast of the Assumption in August, when music, traditional dances, and processions fill the streets. These celebrations are central to how residents mark their identity and shared moments throughout the year.
The town has small restaurants serving Salvadoran dishes and basic accommodation options scattered throughout. Hiking trails in the surrounding nature areas are easily accessible from the town center and nearby slopes.
The nearby lake displays striking yellow-greenish waters caused by sulfur deposits beneath the surface. Poet Gabriela Mistral called this body of water America's Emerald in 1945, drawing attention to its singular appearance.
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