History
Archbishop Pedro Cortes y Larraz, Ataco in 1770 belonged to the parish and its people Ahuachapán was represented by 303 families with 784 indigenous people who spoke the Nahuatl of the Pipil turn these people spoke and understood also Castilian . In the colonial period Ataco belonged to the administration of the province or municipality over Izalco Sonsonate. As of June 12, 1824 belonged to the municipality of primitive and great department of Sonsonate. Because the law of July 4, 1832 this population was made part of the jurisdiction of the judicial district of Ahuachapán. By legislative decree of February 8, 1855 the town was incorporated in the department of Santa Ana. According to a municipal report dated 20 April 1858, Ataco had a population of 972 inhabitants. During the year 1866 the municipalities of Ataco asked the authorities, that this population be divided and separated from the department of Santa Ana and Sonsonate department add for convenience of local interests. This application did not succeed. By Legislative Decree dated 26 February 1869 Ataco joined the district and department of Ahuachapán. In the year 1890 the city had 2.860 inhabitants. In Concepcion de Ataco you can find stores that sell a wide variety of crafts including sculptures, ornaments, weavings, embroidery, candles, key chains and coffee. Ataco's native population still retains many of the customs and traditions of their grandparents—these go from generation to generation through oral tradition, preserving, so far, a bit of our culture and language (Nahuat).Municipal Government
The small town, has the basic services (water, electricity, sewage, train toilet, telephone, Internet, post office, police and magistrates' court). The town has 4 branches of the agricultural sector, all benefits of coffee, so it follows that the municipality is mainly agricultural. There are 4 foundations or organizations concerned with agriculture and community development: FUNDATACO Foundation (ATAC), ADECOA (Association for Community Development Ataco) FUNADIC (Ataqueña Foundation for the Integral Development Community) and Romero Association. The city’s economy has also been influenced by tourism starting in 2004 and that is the reason why the city has grown prosperous. Many investors—both local and international—are opening businesses like hotels, restaurants, bars, etc.Tourism
Ataco has started its tourism business in the late 2004. Prior to that the most visited colonial village was Apaneca, a village 20 minutes away from Ataco. After people realized Ataco has more opportunities and that it's a very cheerful village, people starting investing in Ataco. Even though Ataco did not win first place in the Pueblos Vivos contest it is still preferred by many local and international tourists.Lever looms
Leaver looms were reintroduced to the area and can see and appreciate the art of fabric :es:Concepción de Ataco making in some local craft shops.Climate
Ataco experiences aTransportation
Access by paved road that connects with Ahuachapán and Sonsonate (CA-8). There are regular buses that arrive at the entrance of the village, from Sonsonate and Ahuachapán. The (CA-8) is a small rural highway with two lanes, the road connects Ataco with Apaneca too and San Salvador. In order to take the CA-8 there are different highways depending on what part of the country you can take the RN-13 if you are coming from Santa Ana or Chalchuapa (''if you are coming form the eastern part of Santa Ana the nearest highways is the RN-12''), from Acajutla one can take the CA-2 and then the RN-15 and connect to the CA-8 near Apaneca a few kilometers away from Ataco. If coming from San Salvador or anywhere else in the country the highway that connects to the area is the CA-1 (Security
Ataco and its surroundings are known for their high safety levels. Even though there is no danger at all nor the presence of any type of violence, Politur (Tourism Police) is present in the area to not only maximize the safety levels, but to orient those who are lost, and to help out with any trouble one has.See also
* Ahuachapan, Ahuachapan * Ahuachapan Department * Santa Ana, El Salvador *References