Retalhuleu

Template:Infobox settlement Retalhuleu (Template:IPA) is a city in south-western Guatemala, about Template:Convert by road southwest of Quetzaltenango. It is the departmental seat of Retalhuleu Department as well as the municipal seat of Retalhuleu Municipality. Locally it is nicknamed "Reu."<ref name="Frommers">Template:Cite web</ref>

The city had a population of 90,505 at the time of the 2018 census.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Retalhuleu was established in 1877.<ref name="Frommers"/> The city played a role in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. For a number of recruits, infantry training was carried out at a CIA-run base code-named JMTrax. The base was on the Pacific coast of Guatemala between Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu, in the Helvetia coffee plantation.<ref name="BOPC1961">Template:Cite book</ref> In summer 1960, an airfield (code-named JMadd, aka Rayo Base) was constructed near Retalhuleu, Guatemala.<ref name="BOPC1961"/><ref>Wise, David; Ross, Thomas (1964). The Invisible Government. New York: Random House. pp. 23-50</ref> In November 1960, the Retalhuleu recruits also took part in quelling an officers' rebellion in Guatemala, in addition to the intervention of the U.S. Navy.<ref name="revolutionaries">Template:Cite book</ref>

On August 7 and 8, 2021, Retalhuleu was severely affected by rain, which lasted for 36 hours and caused landslides, floods and other damages to Retalhuleu and other Guatemalan cities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography and climate

Retalhuleu lies in south-western Guatemala, approximately Template:Convert by road southwest of Quetzaltenango, Template:Convert west of Mazatenango and about Template:Convert northeast of the coastal town of Champerico along Route 95.<ref>Template:Google maps</ref>

Retalhuleu has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen: Am) with a very rainy wet season from April to November, and a dry season from December to March.<ref name="WMONormals"/>

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