San Vicente

Department in eastern El Salvador; area 1,236 sq km/477 sq mi; population (1992) 135,500. In the south there are coastal plains, in the west and north, mountains. The River Lempa forms its eastern boundary. The population is predominantly rural and grows sugar cane, coffee, cotton, and grain. The capital is San Vicente.

San Vicente

Administrative capital of the department of San Vicente, El Salvador; population (1993) 28,500. The town lies 61 km/38 mi from San Salvador, on the Accihuapa River in a volcanic region with hot springs and geysers; San Vicente is situated at the foot of the double-peaked San Vicente volcano (also called Chinchontepec). The town was largely rebuilt after suffering severe earthquake damage in 1936. San Vicente is a service and manufacturing centre for the surrounding area, textiles being the main product. Industries also include sugar milling and clothing manufacture.

Amapulapa Park, a national recreation area, is near San Vicente. The town was founded in 1635, on the site of an ancient Indian settlement.

In the church, El Pilar, dating from 1762–69, the Indian chief Anastasio Aquino crowned himself king of the Nonualcos, during the Indian revolt of 1832. The town has an unusual white clock tower in the main plaza.