SANTO TOMS DE CASTILLA

also called Matas De Glvez, port, northeastern Guatemala. It lies on Amatique Bay off the Gulf of Honduras and is administratively a part of Puerto Barrios. Santo Toms was settled originally by Belgians in the 19th century; although the name was changed officially to Matas de Glvez in 1958, the earlier name is more commonly used. When the Guatemalan government became dissatisfied with foreign control of the older, neighbouring port at Puerto Barrios, it built a deepwater port and a planned town with modern housing and shipping offices at Santo Toms. In 1975 a free trade and industrial zone opened. Santo Toms has become the busiest port of Guatemala, handling chiefly general cargo, while Puerto Barrios is limited to agricultural produce. Santo Toms is also the headquarters of the Guatemalan navy. Guatemala City is linked to Santo Toms by railroad, highway, and air. The population of Santo Toms is included with the city of Puerto Barrios.