Alta Verapaz Department

Alta Verapaz is a department in the north central part of Guatemala. The capital and chief city of the department is Cobán. Verapaz is bordered to the north by El Petén, to the east by Izabal, to the south by Zacapa, El Progreso, and Baja Verapaz, and to the west by El Quiché.

Also in Alta Verapaz are the towns of Chisec, San Pedro Carchá and San Cristóbal Verapaz.

History
In Pre-Columbian times this area was part of the Maya civilization. When the Spanish Conquistadores came in the 1520s they conquered the central and southern highlands of Guatemala, but were driven back from this region by fierce native resistance. Spanish friars asked the unsuspicious natives for a chance to "peacefully" convert the land to Christianity, which they succeeded in, giving the area the name "Verapaz" meaning "True Peace" since it was so cunningly brought to Christianity and control of the King of Spain without warfare. In the 19th century this became an important coffee producing region.

As a result of the Mexican Drug War, the Los Zetas drug cartel members overtook much of the department and occupied many towns in December 2010. The Guatemalan government declared a state of siege on December 19 to reclaim the department, allowing the military and police forces to search and arrest any suspects without a warrant, and at least sixteen buildings were searched.

Municipalities

 * 1) Chahal
 * 2) Chisec
 * 3) Cobán
 * 4) Fray Bartolomé de las Casas
 * 5) Lanquín
 * 6) Panzós
 * 7) Raxruha
 * 8) San Cristóbal Verapaz
 * 9) San Juan Chamelco
 * 10) San Pedro Carchá
 * 11) Santa Cruz Verapaz
 * 12) Santa María Cahabón
 * 13) Senahú
 * 14) Tactic
 * 15) Tamahú
 * 16) Tucurú
 * 17) Santa Catalina la Tinta