I. Background/ History
Hacienda La Carrera in the 60s-70s was on the top list of productive farms in Latin America, before the land reform in the late 70’s. It was an icon for the agriculture and progress in El Salvador. Therefore, because of this hacienda the area had a high employment rate.
The top resources before the land reform in the 70’s
- Cotton
- Cattle
- Green Plantains and bananas
- Cacao ( highest quality/top market price- remember the chocolate you tried at the travel market and its aroma- simply delicious)
- Coconut oil
- Much more natural products (fruits and vegetables)
Our entrance to Puerto Barillas is in the midst of this beautiful farm (sugar cane, cacao, tropical vegetation and splendorous volcanoes) are just a few of the sightseeing items in the area
Puerto Barillas, located in the Canal Barillas, opened its doors in year 2000 with a dream in mind: transforming the memory of the history of Salvadoran agriculture from an Hacienda (La Carrera) to an attractive, enchanted tourist destination, with its abundance and fertile nature (flora and fauna), its glamorous-picture perfect sceneries, its diverse and exciting activities and much more… and by this means, sharing the beauty with its visitors.
Today, much of the property at Hacienda La Carrera has been repurchased for agricultural use. Nevertheless, the purchasing company has gone to great efforts to purchase “green areas” with a strong commitment to preserve and protect the flora and fauna
History of Jiquilisco Bay
Pre-Columbian era
On the south coast of Usulutan, the Pacific Ocean forms a picturesque sea entrance, formerly Xiriualtique, later called the Holy Spirit and now Jiquilisco. Xiriualtique which in Poton language means «place in the bay of the stars.» It comes from Xiria, star, ual, water, river, bay, and ticket, closed, suffix of place.
In the language Poton spoken by the Lencas tribes Xiquilisco means «men of xiquilite», coming from the roots xiquilite, indigo, jiquilite (plant from which the ink is extracted annually or indigo ink) and ixco, man. In other words, Jiquilisco becomes the «people of the men who cultivate indigo, indigo and benefit.»
1500
Jiquilisco Bay was discovered in 1522 by Andrés Niño, Chief Pilot of the expedition of Gil Gonzalez Davila, who sailed from Pearl Islands, Gulf of Panama to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, in Mexico, seeking an inter-oceanic route.