Escuintla Department, Administrative department in southern Guatemala.
Escuintla is an administrative region in southern Guatemala stretching between Guatemala City and the Pacific Ocean, characterized by flat coastal lowlands. The area hosts important ports, industrial zones, and agricultural lands that drive the country's economy.
The name comes from Nahuatl and means roughly "place of many dogs" from pre-colonial times. The region was long a trading hub that later became a key area under Spanish rule for Pacific commerce.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception in December brings the region together with traditional ceremonies, lively markets filled with local products, and music performances. The celebrations show how people here maintain and pass down their traditions.
The main highways CA-2 and CA-9 run through the region and connect it easily to Guatemala City and other regional centers. Travelers should know that the hot and humid conditions of the coastal location persist year-round.
The region is one of the country's largest economic engines, with ports, factories, and plantations that together account for a large share of national production. This economic influence is not immediately obvious, but infrastructure visible throughout the region shows the intensity of these activities.
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