Coffee Roasting
Region
The Apaneca-Ilamatepec mountain range, situated in the Ahuachapan, Santa Ana, and Sonsonate departments of northwestern El Salvador near the Guatemalan border, holds historical significance as the birthplace of coffee production in El Salvador. This UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserve, established in 2007, features a diverse landscape encompassing forest and coffee plantations, grassland, and crops. Home to 12 endangered plant species, 58 threatened species, and 12 endemic species of birds and other animals, the reserve also boasts vital wetlands, including Lake Coatepeque, Laguna Verde, and Laguna Las Ninfas, which serve as sources of freshwater and feature unique aquatic vegetation ecosystems. With almost 4,000 hectares dedicated to natural protected areas and 39,500 hectares of shade-grown coffee plantations, the reserve plays a pivotal role in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, facilitating the movement of flora and fauna. Explore the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of the Apaneca-Ilamatepec Biosphere Reserve, where conservation and sustainable coffee production harmoniously coexist.