SONSONATE

city, western El Salvador, on the Ro Grande de Sonsonate. Founded in 1524, it served as the provisional national capital in 183334. During the Spanish colonial period, it conducted a thriving cacao trade. Linked by road and rail with the Pacific port of Acajutla, 12 miles (19 km) southwest, it deals in livestock products, tropical fruit, coffee, and sugarcane and exports skins and hides. Pop. (1985 est.) mun., 48,436.