Lempa Northern Region

The region is defined as the three departments of Chalatenango, Cabanas and Cuscatlan occupying the northern catchment area of the Lempa river. The tributary basin in the Eastern Region and the upper most catchment belonging to Santa Ana department are excluded form the definition. The region so defined accounts for 18.7% of the national land and almost two-thirds of the Lempa river basin within El Salvador. The population in the region, however, accounts only for 8.8% of the national population, and population density at 143 per km² is the lowest of the six regions. The population increase at the annual average rate of 1.40% over 1992-2000 is also the lowest.

The household income in the region is 73.9% of the national average, slightly higher than in three other regions: Western, South-central (Comalapa) and Eastern. The region has the second highest poverty incidence, next to the Eastern Region, and the ratio of absolute poverty is the highest of the six regions. Dependence on overseas remittance is also high.

Cattle population is comparatively large in the region. Reflecting this, the region produces comparatively more conventional maize rather than hybrid maize, except in Cuscatlan. Still the average yield of maize is relatively high.

The region falls completely in the Lempa river basin. It constitutes also main part of the agro-environmental corridor of the north designated by the National Plan. The region borders on Honduras, separated in the northernmost part by mountain range peaking 2,730m. The Lempa river basin, however, extends into Honduras with several tributaries. The reservoir created by the Cerron Grande dam and hydropower project occupies the central part of the region.

Constraints

Poor access and the lack of sizable urban centers constrain the development of the region in the most fundamental way. This is due in part to the lack of proper attention by past administrations, resulting in marginalization particularly of border areas. Although the average household income is not the lowest, poverty depth is significant. Degradation of watershed with deforestation is another serious constraint.

Prospects

This is a resource region of El Salvador with ample water resources, high hydropower potentials only partly exploited, rich ecological resources, and productive agricultural land. The Lempa plateau, encompassing northern parts of San Salvador and La Libertad, is suitable for intensive agriculture. Effectively utilizing the altitude, differentiation may be made for horticulture and other high value crops including some exotic ones. Possibilities to expand the production of indigo and bamboo and to establish processing industries are noted by the National Plan.

The southern part of the Cerron Grande reservoir will become an attractive weekend resort for San Salvador residents once access is further improved and additional facilities are provided, centering around Suchitoto. Volcanoes, extensive forests and the reservoir are combined for various tourism products. Tourism in other areas of the region may be pursued under the concept of alternative tourism such as eco-tourism, agro-eco-tourism and rural tourism.

To restore and enhance the environmental quality, while effectively utilizing rich natural resources for productive purposes, some central function may be established in the region for environmental research and development in the context of Central America biological corridor. Possibility includes the creation of a center for environment-friendly agricultural technology, linked with experimental fields not only in the region but also throughout the Country.

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