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The Three Capitals of Guatemala

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Even Guatemala's cities have been subject to misfortune. Three attempts to establish a capital were made before Guatemala City was founded in 1775. The first colonial settlement was built in 1524 but continuing battles with Cakchiquel warriors necessitated relocation in 1527 near present-day San Miguel Escobar. An earthquake destroyed this in 1541. A third capital was then established on the present site of la Antigua Guatemala and survived until 1773, when it was hit by a huge earthquake and eventually abandoned. The former capital was thereafter known as la Antigua Guatemala, or Old Guatemala.

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