Mataquescuintla

Mataquescuintla
Municipality
Mataquescuintla seen from Miramundo and Pino Dulce
Location within Guatemala
Coordinates: 14°32′1″N 90°11′2″W / 14.53361°N 90.18389°W / 14.53361; -90.18389
Country Guatemala
Department Jalapa
Villa1848
Incorporated1848
Government
  TypeMayor–Council
  BodyMataquescuintla municipal council
  Mayor of MataquescuintlaHugo Manfredo Loy
Area
  Total
262 km2 (101 sq mi)
Elevation
1,727 m (5,000 ft)
Population
 (2018 census)
  Total
41,848
  Density160/km2 (410/sq mi)
  Urban
9,833
Demonyms
  • Mataquescuintleco
  • Mataquescuintleca
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central America)
ClimateCwb
WebsiteMataquescuintla municipality

Mataquescuintla (from Nahuatl, meaning net to catch dogs) is a town and municipality in the Jalapa department of south-east Guatemala. It covers 262 square kilometres (101 sq mi).

Mataquescuintla played a significant role during the first half of the nineteenth century, when it was the center of operations of conservative general Rafael Carrera, who led a Catholic peasant revolution against the liberal government of Mariano Gálvez in 1838, and then ruled Guatemala from 1840 until his death in 1865.

It is divided into 6 zones.