QUEZALTENANGO  , the

capital of the department of Quezaltenango, Guatemala, 7o m. by road W. of Guatemala city and at the terminus of a railway from Champerico on the Pacific coast . Pop . (1905) about 31,000 . It is situated on the river Siguila, and at the foot of the volcano of Santa Maria . In size the second city in the republic, it has a large agricultural trade and manufactures of linen, woollen and cotton goods . It contains a fine cathedral and some good public buildings, including two national institutes for higher education; and it is well supplied with water and electricity for light and power . The majority of its inhabitants are Indians or half-breeds of Quiche descent . Quezaltenango was the capital of a Quiche kingdom, and was known as Xelahuh or Xelahue until 1524, when it was conquered by the Spaniards under Pedro de Alvarado . In 1902 it was partially destroyed by an earthquake and an eruption of Santa Maria .