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Localisation 
As one of the 4 Municipalities Poqomchí (San Cristóbal, Santa Cruz, Tactic y Tamahú) of the department of Alta Verapaz, San Cristobal has a rich environment, history and culture. The Municipality includes the villa - which is divided into 5 areas: San Cristobal, Santa Ana, San Felipe, Esquipulas and San Sebastian - and 89 rural communities. The municipality is divided into 12 micro-regiones in agreement with the new body of law: Ley de Descentralización, Ley de Consejos de Desarrollo y Código Municipal. San Cristobal Verapaz is situated at an altitude of 1,393 meters above sea level and has an terrotorial extension of 192 km2.
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Access
To reach San Cristobal via road from Guatemala City, take the Ruta al Atlántico (CA-9) to El Rancho (Km 85) and take the turn-off to the ruta de Las Verapaces (CA-14); When you reach the turning for Santa Cruz, Alta Verapaz (km 197) take it (la Ruta 7W) until you reach San Cristobal (km 204).
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Environment
San Cristóbal Verapaz is located in a zone of life classified as "humid forest subtropical cold" located at a height between 1 100 msnm and 1 800 msnm. The total surface area of this zone of life is of 2.584 kilometers square what represents the 2,37% of the total surface of the country.
In the forests are varieties of mosses and ferns including arborescentes ferns of the Cyathea sort. This region has very high indices of endemismo in bromelias, orchids, amphibians and reptiles.
The typical vegetacion of the area includes: Quercus spp (Encino), Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquidámbar), Persea donnell smithii (Aguacatillo), Pinus pseudostrobus (Pino triste), Persea schiediana (Chupte, coyóu), Rapanea ferruginea (Pimientillo, xibutí), Clethra spp (Zapotillo), Myrica spp (Arrayán), Croton draco (Sangre drago), Eurya seemanii (Fruto de Paloma ).
In respect to the fauna, there have been identified 145 specifes of birds in the basin of Lake Chichoj including one which is close to extinction.
A study of Mamuales hasn't been made, but species that have been seen include deer, tepezcuintle y cotuza.
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Climate
The total anual rainfall based on a 5 year average is 1,646mm. Rain is possible all year round but is heavier in July and September and less so in March and April. The average temperature is 23.2°C, with November / December being the coldest months and March / June the hottest.
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Lake Chichoj
The lake is located in the centre of the villa of San Cristobal Verapaz. Its average depth is estimated to be 12.50m, with a surface area of 476,322.50 m2 and a volume of 4,876,250.20 m3.
It is fed by the union of the rivers Riachuelos and Pana. The lake itself feeds into the river Cahabón which is one of the principal feeds of the Rio Polochic that ends in Lago Izabal. From here the Rio Dulce meets the Caribean Sea.
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Language
Approximately 85% of the population are Poqomchí-Maya, whose predominant language is Poqom. Hoewever the mayority of the people in the urban area speak Castellano. In some communidades on the borders with Coban people also speak Kek’chí but numbers have not been recorded. Near the border between San Cristóbal and Uspantán, Uspanteco is spoken.
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Demographic
(Information Source - Municipalidad de San Cristóbal Verapaz, 2001)
Statistics about the population of San Cristobal Verpapz:
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Sex
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Ethnic Group
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Area
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Total
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Men
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Women
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Indigenous
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Non Indigenous
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Urban
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Rural
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20,394
(49.3%)
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20,987
(50.7%)
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35739
(85%)
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6307
(15%)
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(29.4%)
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(70.6%)
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41,381
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Annual growth rate of the population:
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Urban Area
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Rural Area
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Total
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2%
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1.3%
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1.5%
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The average number of people per home - 5.70.
Poverty Index for San Cristóbal Verapaz:
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% Value of the poverty breach
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Net rate of schooling
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% Unsatisifed basic necessities
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NBI Water % 94
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NBI Sanitation % 94
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NBI Housing % 94
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Indices of rurality
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25
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70
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65
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29
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63
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45
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73
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Education
The literacy rate is 59.8%.
CONALFA works in San Cristóbal with 2 centres in the urban area in the areas of San Sebastián y Esquipulas, as well as another 10 centers in the rural areas.
The population counts on 3 education centers: Escuela de Niñas, Escuela Urbana de Varones, Colegio Particular de Religiosas. At the basic level facilities include: La Sagrada Familia Instituto Nacional de Educación Básica. In the diversified level: Escuela Privada Mixta Nocturna de Comercio.
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Actividades Económicas
The average daily income is Q. 21.84
Agriculture:
In this region farmers grow: maize, beans, coffee, cardomum, sugar cane, pacaya, fruits such as limes and oranges, avocado, chupte, pepper. There are also small scale cattle raising.
As far as making use of the forest, pseudostrobus Pine is the species most utilized for various activities.
Industry:
The factory of Calzado Cobán employs 9.7% of the population of the Municipality. Also there exist two factories that manufacture bedspreads/blankets of cotton and a vivero of ornamental plants.
The remainder of the active population inlcude:
carpenters
builders
farm workers
cattle ranchers
shoe makers
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loggers
bakers
labourers
cuadrilleros
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temporaleros
painters
musicians
Weavers
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Some other people work for the state or have professional occupations such as teaching at college or university.
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Transport
Transport options in the municipio center around the villa and include camionettas, pulmans and private taxis services.
Taxis can usually be found in Parque Central.
For public transport click here to check out the timetables.
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