# Salamá > municipality and capital of Baja Verapaz Department, Guatemala **Wikidata**: [Q1023655](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1023655) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salamá) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/salama ## Summary Salamá is a municipality and the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department in Guatemala. Founded in 1825, it serves as an administrative and cultural hub in the region, known for its historical significance and role as a regional center. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Situated in the Baja Verapaz Department of Guatemala, with coordinates 15.105236111111° N, 90.316019444444° W. - **Founding Date**: Established on November 12, 1825. - **Population**: As of 2021, the population was projected to be 71,478. - **Area**: Covers 776 square kilometers. - **Elevation**: Located at an elevation of 940 meters above sea level. - **Time Zone**: Operates in the UTC−06:00 timezone. - **Patron Saint**: Matthew the Apostle. - **Postal Code**: 15001. - **Local Dialing Code**: 502. - **Website**: Official municipal website at [munisalama.laip.gt](https://munisalama.laip.gt). - **UN/LOCODE**: GTSLM. - **Aliases**: Also known as Salama or Zalama. - **Borders**: Shares borders with Purulhá, San Miguel Chicaj, Rabinal, and Chuarrancho. - **Image**: Represented by the image available at [Sanmateosalama.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sanmateosalama.jpg). ## FAQs **What is the significance of Salamá in Guatemala?** Salamá is the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department and serves as a key administrative and cultural center in the region. Its historical founding in 1825 and its role as a municipality make it an important hub for local governance and community activities. **What are the geographical features of Salamá?** Salamá is located at an elevation of 940 meters above sea level and covers an area of 776 square kilometers. It is situated in the Baja Verapaz Department and shares borders with several neighboring municipalities, including Purulhá, San Miguel Chicaj, Rabinal, and Chuarrancho. **What is the population of Salamá?** As of 2021, the population of Salamá was projected to be 71,478. This figure is based on population projections and reflects the municipality's size and importance in the region. **What is the official website of Salamá?** The official municipal website of Salamá is [munisalama.laip.gt](https://munisalama.laip.gt). This site provides information about local governance, services, and community updates. **What is the UN/LOCODE for Salamá?** The UN/LOCODE for Salamá is GTSLM. This code is used for international trade and logistics purposes to identify the location. ## Why It Matters Salamá plays a crucial role as the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department, serving as a center for administration, culture, and community life. Its historical significance, dating back to its founding in 1825, and its strategic location in Guatemala make it an important hub for regional development and governance. The municipality's population and geographical features further highlight its importance in the broader context of Guatemala's administrative divisions. ## Notable For - **Capital Status**: Salamá is the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department, making it a key administrative center. - **Historical Significance**: Founded in 1825, Salamá has a rich history that contributes to its cultural and administrative importance. - **Population Size**: With a projected population of 71,478 in 2021, Salamá is a significant urban center in the region. - **Geographical Features**: Located at an elevation of 940 meters and covering 776 square kilometers, Salamá has notable geographical characteristics. - **Cultural and Religious Importance**: The municipality's patron saint is Matthew the Apostle, reflecting its cultural and religious heritage. ## Body ### History Salamá was founded on November 12, 1825, and has since served as an important administrative and cultural center in Guatemala. Its historical significance is rooted in its role as the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department, contributing to its development and governance over the years. ### Geography Salamá is located in the Baja Verapaz Department of Guatemala, with coordinates 15.105236111111° N, 90.316019444444° W. The municipality covers an area of 776 square kilometers and is situated at an elevation of 940 meters above sea level. It shares borders with several neighboring municipalities, including Purulhá, San Miguel Chicaj, Rabinal, and Chuarrancho. ### Demographics As of 2021, the population of Salamá was projected to be 71,478. This figure is based on population projections and reflects the municipality's size and importance in the region. The population data is crucial for understanding the municipality's role in local governance and community development. ### Administration Salamá serves as the capital of the Baja Verapaz Department, making it a key administrative center. The municipality is governed by local authorities, and its official website, [munisalama.laip.gt](https://munisalama.laip.gt), provides information about local governance, services, and community updates. ### Culture and Religion The patron saint of Salamá is Matthew the Apostle, reflecting the municipality's cultural and religious heritage. This aspect of Salamá's identity is important for understanding its community values and traditions. ### Infrastructure and Services Salamá has a postal code of 15001 and operates in the UTC−06:00 timezone. The local dialing code is 502, and the municipality is represented by the UN/LOCODE GTSLM for international trade and logistics purposes. These details are essential for understanding the municipality's infrastructure and services. ### Notable Features Salamá is also known by the aliases Salama and Zalama. The municipality is represented by the image available at [Sanmateosalama.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Sanmateosalama.jpg), which provides a visual representation of the area. ### Related Entities Salamá is part of the Baja Verapaz Department and is a member of Guatemala. It is classified as a municipality of Guatemala and a city, reflecting its administrative and urban characteristics. The municipality is also associated with various identifiers, including a VIAF ID of 159474442, a Freebase ID of /m/036phk, and a GeoNames ID of 3590615. ## References 1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 2. GeoNames 3. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/gt.htm) 4. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)