COJUTEPEQUE

capital of Cuscatln department, central El Salvador, located near Lake Ilopango on the Inter-American Highway, a section of the Pan-American Highway, at the northern foot of Cerro Las Pavas. Originally an Indian settlement, it was founded in 1571 and was declared a town in 1787 and a city in 1846. The economy is based on agriculture and associated industries (sugar milling, liquor distilling, and cotton milling). On August 29, Cojutepeque celebrates the feast of St. John, when thousands of people flock there to join the festivities and to trade their wares. Pop. (1980 est.) mun., 35,011.