Villa Nueva is a city in the Guatemaladepartment of Guatemala. The city centre of Villa Nueva at Villa Nueva Central Park is located 16 kilometres (10 mi) south of Guatemala City. The city has a population of 618,397 (2018 census),[2] making it the second largest in Guatemala Department, after Guatemala City. It was founded on 17 April 1763, long before Guatemala declared its independence from the Spanish Empire.
The local economy largely depends on industry, with the municipality having some 100 factories that produce such products as textiles, metallurgical goods, and plastics. The area's agricultural products include rice, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
Portrait of Mariano Rivera Paz. Rivera Paz was governor of the State of Guatemala when he declared Amatitlán an independent district in 1839.
During governor Mariano Rivera Paz' time in office, a decree was issued on 6 November 1839 declaring Amatitlán and independent district, which also included Palín and Villa Nueva.[6] The decree says:
"The city of Amatitlán, San Cristóbal Palín, Villa Nueva, San Miguel and Santa Inés Petapa and all the annexed locations to these settlements will form an independent district for its political government and will be under the charge of a Lieutenant Corregidor, who will act according to the applicable law starting on 2 October of this year and will earn a thousand pesos a year".
"In the same district there will be a local court to impart justice".[6]
The district changed its name to Amatitlán Department according to the executive order of 8 May 1866 of field Marshall Vicente Cerna y Cerna government.[6]
Amatitlán Department dissolution and creation of the Villa Nueva municipality
Amatitlán Department was abolished by decree 2081 of 29 April 1935 of president general Jorge Ubico regime. This decree literally reads:
"Considering that it is convenient for the country's best interest that the Amatitlán Department be dissolved.
Decrees:
