San Miguel, El Salvador
Encyclopedia
San Miguel is the fourth most populous city
in El Salvador
after Santa Ana
and Soyapango
and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador
. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality. The population of the city in (2007) was 218,410 habitants.
with the entrust of the stablishment of a new spanish village. Such event took place on May 8th 1530, being the name given to the new village San Miguel de la Frontera (San Miguel of the Frontier). By 1586 the village had obtained the title of city
.
. However, in the last decade the services sector, specially health care and commerce, have increased considerably, resulting in significant private investments in hospitals and shopping malls within the city. This has been usually attributed partly for the high inflow of remittances (at least 35% of the total, that represent around 18% of the national GDP ) that salvadorans living abroad send to the eastern zone of the country.
The wealth of the eastern half of the country is expected to increase when the Puerto La Unión
starts operations in 2012.
( with its Facultad Multidiciplinaria de Oriente) and the private Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO).
San Miguel is famous for its night life along the Roosevelt Avenue, the main street that runs through the city, dividing it in half. One of those sides includes the places of historical interest such as the Cathedral of "Nuestra Señora de la Paz" (1862), Parque Guzman, Francisco Gavidia
Theater (1909) and Palacio Municipal (1935). The other half, modern San Miguel, includes new neighborhoods called "colonias".
Many Salvadoran historical figures were born in San Miguel: Captain General Gerado Barrios, writer Francisco Gavidia
, and poet Juan J. Cañas. The city is flanked by the Volcan Chaparrastique (2,129 meters), perhaps the most iconic image of San Miguel.
San Miguel is a sister city of Arlington, Virginia.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
after Santa Ana
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Santa Ana is the second largest city in El Salvador, located 64 kilometers west of San Salvador, the capital city. Santa Ana has approximately 274,830 inhabitants and serves both as the capital of the department of Santa Ana and...
and Soyapango
Soyapango
Soyapango is a municipality in the San Salvador department of El Salvador. Soyapango is a commercial center; it is home to a new modern mall called Plaza Mundo.The municipality is the third most populated area in the country, with 290,412 inhabitants...
and the second most important after San Salvador. It is located 138 km east of the capital, San Salvador
San Salvador
The city of San Salvador the capital and largest city of El Salvador, which has been designated a Gamma World City. Its complete name is La Ciudad de Gran San Salvador...
. It is also the capital of the department of San Miguel and a municipality. The population of the city in (2007) was 218,410 habitants.
History
After the foundation of the Villa de , the spaniards sent Captain Luis de Moscoso east of the Lempa RiverLempa River
The Lempa River is a 422 km long river in Central America. Its sources are located in between the Sierra Madre and the Sierra del Merendón in southern Guatemala, near the town of Olopa. In Guatemala the river is called Río Olopa and flows southwards for 30.4 km before entering Honduras and...
with the entrust of the stablishment of a new spanish village. Such event took place on May 8th 1530, being the name given to the new village San Miguel de la Frontera (San Miguel of the Frontier). By 1586 the village had obtained the title of city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
.
Economy
The city has been an important center of the agriculture, textile and chemical industries of El SalvadorEl Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. However, in the last decade the services sector, specially health care and commerce, have increased considerably, resulting in significant private investments in hospitals and shopping malls within the city. This has been usually attributed partly for the high inflow of remittances (at least 35% of the total, that represent around 18% of the national GDP ) that salvadorans living abroad send to the eastern zone of the country.
The wealth of the eastern half of the country is expected to increase when the Puerto La Unión
La Unión, El Salvador
La Unión is a municipality in the La Unión department of El Salvador.It is the capital city of the Department of its same name. It is the largest city in the department also with a population of almost 26,739 inhabitants. On January 16, 2005 the government of El Salvador started building a new...
starts operations in 2012.
Education
There are many educational institutions within the city, private and public, including some of the oldests schools in the country. The main universities are the public University of El SalvadorUniversity of El Salvador
The University of El Salvador or Universidad de El Salvador is the oldest and one of the most prominent university institutions in El Salvador. It serves as the national university of the country...
( with its Facultad Multidiciplinaria de Oriente) and the private Universidad de Oriente (UNIVO).
Sports
The sports infrastructure of San Miguel has had a remarkable development and modernization since the beginning of the past decade. The main sports centers are the national football stadium of "Juan Francisco Barraza", the "Polideportivo Don Bosco" and the Charlaix Stadium.Culture
On November, San Miguel celebrates its municipal festivities in honor of "Nuestra Señora De La Paz" (Our Lady of Peace), being the Carnival of San Miguel the final and main event that takes place on the last saturday of the month. With an estimate of 1,000,000 people attending it for its 50th aniversary (as reported by the local media), it is considered the biggest festival of entertainment, music and food in El Salvador and one of the largest in Central America. The beginnings of the Carnival itself date from 1959. Currently, this tradition continues to reflect the growth of the city and one of the motors for its economy.San Miguel is famous for its night life along the Roosevelt Avenue, the main street that runs through the city, dividing it in half. One of those sides includes the places of historical interest such as the Cathedral of "Nuestra Señora de la Paz" (1862), Parque Guzman, Francisco Gavidia
Francisco Gavidia
Francisco Gavidia was a Salvadoran writer, educator and journalist. His poetry evolved from romanticism to a reflective direction and conceptual character...
Theater (1909) and Palacio Municipal (1935). The other half, modern San Miguel, includes new neighborhoods called "colonias".
Many Salvadoran historical figures were born in San Miguel: Captain General Gerado Barrios, writer Francisco Gavidia
Francisco Gavidia
Francisco Gavidia was a Salvadoran writer, educator and journalist. His poetry evolved from romanticism to a reflective direction and conceptual character...
, and poet Juan J. Cañas. The city is flanked by the Volcan Chaparrastique (2,129 meters), perhaps the most iconic image of San Miguel.
San Miguel is a sister city of Arlington, Virginia.