Jalapa is a city in Guatemala. It is the capital of the department of Jalapa; it is also the municipal seat of
that department's municipality of Jalapa. It is located 174 km from Guatemala City. The city of Jalapa was built in a valley, surrounded by the Jumay volcano and the mountains of Alcoba and Arluta and the Jalapa Mountains. For this reason and its altitude, 1700m, the inhabitants enjoy excellent weather, which is mild temperate. Jalapa is
known as the "climatologic of the east" - it is never too cold and never too hot.
The local economy is based on agricultural and livestock products. The department of Jalapa produces corn and beans which are the main diet of Guatemalans, but also produces fruits such as peaches, apples, blackberries, bananas, avocados and vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, and cauliflower, most of which are exported to El Salvador. Jalapa also produces dairy products and is famous for its cheese,
especially the one called queso seco ("dry cheese") and mantequilla de costal ("sack butter"), which is produced mainly in Monjas, San Manuel Chaparrón, San Carlos Alzatate
and Jalapa.
