Amatitlán, Municipality near Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala.
Amatitlán is a municipality in the Guatemala Department located south of the capital city at an elevation of roughly 1,188 meters. The town occupies a region marked by residential neighborhoods and centers of local economic activity.
The municipality was founded on June 24, 1549, by Friar Diego Martínez and later established as an independent district. This status came after Central America's independence movement in the early 19th century.
The name comes from the Nahuatl language, where 'Amatl' refers to the amate tree and 'Titlan' means 'between' or 'surrounded by.' This linguistic heritage reflects the indigenous roots that shaped the region's identity.
The municipality connects to Guatemala City via the CA-9 highway, serving as a residential hub for daily commuters. Visitors should expect traffic during peak hours, as this route carries heavy daily use.
The municipality houses Guatemala's largest duty-free zone with numerous garment manufacturing facilities. This industrial sector provides substantial employment and significantly shapes the local economy.
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