Barberena

Due to its close proximity to many rural communities, Barberena plays a central role in the local economy, especially as a point of exchange for agricultural goods and manufactured products. The crime rate is especially high, as in much of Guatemala.

History

1913 earthquake

On Saturday 8 March 1913, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit Santa Rosa, destroying its department capital, Cuilapa. Both the initial quake and the replicas destroyed a lot of private homes, and also the cathedral and the prison, leaving behind significant human losses; similar destruction occurred at Barberena, Cerro Redondo, Llano Grande and El Zapote. Fraijanes, Pueblo Nuevo Viñas, Coatepeque and Jalpatagua were also affected. Around Cuilapa, there were landslides and road blockades, and even a long crack was reported at Los Esclavos hill.