Apopa is a municipality in the San Salvador department of El Salvador. Probably the seventh biggest city in El Salvador with a little more than 150,000 people, the city has now collided with Soyapango and San Salvador, making it part of the San Salvador metropolitan area (with a 1,900,000 2010 population estimate).

Apopa
Santa Catarina Cathedral
Santa Catarina Cathedral
Flag of Apopa
Apopa is located in El Salvador
Apopa
Apopa
Location in El Salvador
Coordinates: 13°48′N 89°11′W / 13.800°N 89.183°W / 13.800; -89.183
Country El Salvador
DepartmentSan Salvador Department
MetroSan Salvador Metropolitan Area
Incorporated (town)1874
Incorporated (city)1921
Government
 • TypeDemocratic Republic
 • MayorJennifer Juárez
Area
 • City
20.02 sq mi (51.84 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
198,528
 • Urban
198,528
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central Standard Time)
SV-SS
CP 1123
Area code+503
Websitealcaldiadeapopa.com (in Spanish)

Toponymy

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The toponym Apopa means "a place with mist". lugar de vapores de agua.[citation needed]

Geography

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Hydography: The rivers crossing this municipality are Acelhuate, Las Cañas, Guaycume and Tomayate river.

Dimensions: The area is 51.84 km2

Orography: The hills within this municipality are El Sartén and El Guaycume hills.

History

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Streets of Apopa in 1990, photographed by Linda Hess Miller

The people of Apopa, were a part of the department of San Salvador from June 12, 1824, until March 9, 1836, when it transferred to the federal district of the Central American Federation until June 30, 1839, when it again returned to a municipality of the northern district of San Salvador with the dissolution of the Central American Federation.

As a municipality, Apopa by November 14, 1860, had a population of 2194. Its jurisdiction included three farms: The Angel Arrasola, San José and San Nicolás. The latter purchased by the Municipal Corporation. To cooperate in their acquisition, the General President of the Republic Don Gerardo Barrios by act of January 28, 1865, made Apopa head of the northern district with jurisdiction over San Martin, Nejapan and Tonacatepeque. On March 7, 1874, during the administration of Field Marshal Don Santiago Gonzales Apopa was awarded the title of Villa Apopa. In 1878 the district increased with the incorporation of the municipality of El Paisnal. In 1892 Apopa stopped being head of the former district and became part of the new district Tonacatepeque. On June 7, 1921, during the administration of Jorge Meléndez Apopa was conferred the title of the city of Villa Apopa.

Sports

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The local professional football club is named C.D. Vendaval Apopa and it currently plays in the Salvadoran Second Division after they merged with Chalatenango.

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References

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  •   Media related to Apopa at Wikimedia Commons