Pacific seaport, southwestern El Salvador. Spanish conquistadores defeated the Indians there in 1524, and it subsequently flourished as a colonial port. The old town has been rebuilt inland in order to make room for new port facilities. Acajutla is El Salvador's principal port and handles a large portion of its coffee exports and shipments of sugar and balsam (a resin used in perfumes and cosmetics). There are also a petroleum refinery and a fertilizer plant in the city. Fish- and shell-processing industries and summer beach-resort facilities are also important. Pop. (2005 est.) urban area, 26,100.