AHUACHAPN

city, western El Salvador, on the small Molino River (with a hydroelectric station) at the foot of La Lagunita Volcano. Originally called Geciapam by the Indians, it was renamed Agecha before becoming the town (1823) and the city (1862) of Ahuachapn. A manufacturing and distributing centre (the most important product being coffee), it is also noted for its mineral baths, drawn from thermal springs, notably below the nearby Malacatiupn Falls. A geothermal power plant, using heat from the springs, began operation in 1975. Pop. (1985 est.) city, 20,376; mun., 78,918.