Category Archives: Chimaltenango

Chimaltenango is a department of Guatemala. The capital is Chimaltenango. Located to the east are the departments of Guatemala, home to Guatemala City, and Sacatepéquez, while also bordered by the departments of El Quiché and Baja Verapaz to the north, Escuintla and Suchitepéquez to the south, and Sololá Department to the west. The capital of Chimaltenango is located about 54 kilometers away from Guatemala City.

Population estimate for Chimaltenango Department in 2000 was 448,000 people. The majority of the people in the department are of Cakchiquel Maya descent. The department has an area of 1,979 km².

In addition to the city of Chimaltenango, the department contains the towns of Santa Apolonia (known for its ceramics), San Juan Comalapa, and Patzún (known for its elaborate Corpus Christi celebrations in June). Chimaltenango is also home to the Maya civilization ruins of Iximché and Mixco Viejo, in addition to many smaller sites.

There are several humanitarian aid groups that provide services in Chimaltenango. Chimaltenango is also the home of the Rose Education Foundation, a group which works to provide high quality education opportunities for native Guatemalan children.