Sololá Department


Sololá is a department in the west of Guatemala. The capital is the city of Sololá. Lake Atitlan is a key feature surrounded by a number of the municipalities.

Municipalities

  1. Concepción
  2. Nahualá
  3. Panajachel
  4. San Andrés Semetabaj
  5. San Antonio Palopó
  6. San José Chacayá
  7. San Juan La Laguna
  8. San Lucas Tolimán
  9. San Marcos La Laguna
  10. San Pablo La Laguna
  11. San Pedro La Laguna
  12. Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan
  13. Santa Catarina Palopó
  14. Santa Clara La Laguna
  15. Santa Cruz La Laguna
  16. Santa Lucía Utatlán
  17. Santa María Visitación
  18. Santiago Atitlán
  19. Sololá

    Population

As of 2018, the department had a population of 421,583. The area is populated almost entirely by different Mayan ethnic groups, of which the two largest groups are the Kaqchikel people and K'iche'. Kaqchikel people accounted for 50.1% of the department's population, and K'iche' accounted for 35.3%. Indigenous people in total account for 96.5% of the department's population.

Economy

With fertile soil, Sololá farmers produce maize, wheat, barley, vegetables, and fruit. Fruits include apples, cherries, cherimoya, peaches, and pears. Livestock is also common, including sheep. Since 1850, the region has had a large wool industry.

Ecology

The area is mountainous and also sits on the sea. In 1850, the British described it as having a "healthy" climate "rather inclining to cold, or...temperate." Temperatures warm further south. Lago de Atitlán is located in Sololá.

Sports

is Solola's main football team and the most famous club in the department.