city, southern El Salvador. It lies in the Lempa River valley, at the foot of San Vicente Volcano. A commercial centre for the surrounding agricultural area, it also trades in cotton goods, baskets, salt, and lumber and produces cement. An earthquake in 1932 caused severe damage to the city. Zacatecoluca was the birthplace of José Simeón Cañas—after whom the Central American University is named—who fought successfully to end slavery in Central America. Pop. (2005 est.) urban area, 33,800.