La Palma is situated west of the Chalatenango department, 82 kilometers from San Salvador, and 8 kilometers from El Poy, the border between El Salvador and Honduras.
La Palma is notable for its wood crafts and Naf art designs, which were created by Salvadoran painter Fernando Llort, who also painted the mosaics of San Salvador’s Metropolitan Cathedral. Llort is one of the most influential persons in this municipality, and through his hard work, he taught the villagers the “naf” art, a method that entails depicting common rural life, as well as characteristic flora and wildlife of the area, using copinol seeds. Workshops for wood, leather, pottery, many types of seeds, and patterns on cotton clothing may be found in almost all of La Palma’s homes. This craft activity is now the source of more cash and employment in this community.
Apart from its handicrafts, La Palma gained international notice in 1984 when President José Napoleón Duarte met with rebel guerilla commanders in an effort to settle the civil war, the first such meeting since the conflict began in 1980.
La Palma was part of the Caminos Reales (Royal Roads), which were used to go to Honduras. It has been the site of national wars since the early years of independence, when municipal and government forces battled against ex-president Francisco Malespn’s army, and Malespn was defeated in both fights.