La Unión, El Salvador
| La Unión | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Municipality | |||
| |||
| Motto(s): has | |||
  La Unión Location in El Salvador | |||
| Coordinates: 13°20′13″N 87°50′38″W / 13.33694°N 87.84389°WCoordinates: 13°20′13″N 87°50′38″W / 13.33694°N 87.84389°W | |||
| Country |
 | ||
| Department | La Unión Department | ||
| Founded | 1865 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 144.43 km2 (55.76 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) | ||
| Population (2012) | |||
| • Total | 34,045 | ||
| • Density | 240/km2 (610/sq mi) | ||
La Unión is a municipality in La Unión Department of El Salvador.
It is the capital city of the department of La Unión. It is the largest city in the department with a population of approximately 34,000 inhabitants. Previously known as Puerto San Carlos, was changed to La Unión on July 13, 1824. The name change followed after El Salvador got its independence from Spain and formed the United Provinces of Central America.
La Unión became a department on June 22, 1865, and the city of La Unión was turned into a capital. On January 16, 2005 the Salvadoran government started building a port in La Unión, in order to replace the previous one. This new port was going to be able to hold more than double the cargo it previously held. In fact, it would be able to hold more cargo than the principal port of El Salvador at Acajutla. The new port was finished on November 2012. Since then, it has helped increase the growth and economic stability of that area of the country. Even though they will grow, the department of La Unión would still have to compete its commerce with San Miguel, the nearest largest city in El Salvador.
History
In 1522, Andrés Niño, a pilot, discovered the Golfo de Fonseca. At the end of the 18th century, La Unión was categorized as a town and it was given the name in honor of King Charles III of Spain, who governed Spain from 1759 to 1788.
On February 28, 1854 the town, now La Unión, was granted with the title of city as "pueblo del puerto de San Carlos de la Unión." After El Salvador gained its independence, the extensive Departamento de San Miguel was created. This department was extremely large and was further divided into two section which created La Unión and San Miguel as separate departments within the bounds of El Salvador.
Agriculture
On the basis of agriculture, La Unión is one of the richest departments with this industry. The most important products that have been grown are: coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, oleaginous seeds, fruits, and grass.
Tourism
A temple named El Templo de Conchagua was built in 1693 and it rapidly became one of La Unión's tourist attractions. The city also had archeological ruins from Intipucá and Meanguera, other departments inside of La Unión. The beaches that surround La Unión are also touristic opportunities, the beaches are: Playas del Tamarindo, Playas Negras, and Playitas.
Government
The department governor resides in La Unión as the city and in all the departments inside the city, including el Departamento de La Unión. Mayors are elected to each department in the city and the mayor has the chance to choose his aldermen and councilors.The current mayor of La Unión, El Salvador is Ezequiel Milla.
External links
- Puerto La Unión Official Website (in Spanish)