Rafael Barrientos was born in Armenia, department of Sonsonate in July, 1919. He founded the “Lito Barrientos” Orchestra. Among the prizes received were: “The Congo of gold”, in Barranquilla, Colombia; “The
Order of José Matías Delgado” and “Prodigal Son of El Salvador”.
Prudencia Ayala was born in
Sonzacate on April 28, 1885. An influential suffragist, she was the first woman to run for President of El Salvador at a time when women did not yet have the right to vote. She supported labor unions and women's rights. She also supported the
peasant's uprising of 1932.
Jose Roberto Cea was born in Izalco on April 10, 1939. He is a poet, novelist, narrator, and editor. He was part of the Committed Generation literary group. His most well-known plays include: *Las escenas cumbres*, *Teatro de y una comarca Centro Americana*. His novels include: *En este paisito nos tocó y no me corro*. His narrative works include: *Chumbulúm el pececito de Darwin* and *Sihuapil Taqueisali*.
Irma Dimas, from Sonsonate, was
Miss El Salvador in 2005.
Claudia Lars was born in Armenia on December 20, 1899, and died in San Salvador on July 22, 1974. Her birth name was Margarita del Carmen Brannon Vega. She was a poet who cultivated the sonnet and romance forms. She is considered the greatest lyrical voice of 20th-century El Salvador. Her works include: *Estrellas en el pozo*, *Canción redonda*, *La casa de vidrio*, *Donde llegan los pasos*, *Tierra de infancia*, *Sobre el ángel y el hombre*, and *Nuestro pulsante mundo*.
Francisco Malespín was born in Izalco on September 28, 1806 and was murdered in 1846. He was a defender of culture and art. He served as president of El Salvador in 1844.
Óscar Osorio was born in Sonsonate on December 14, 1910, and died in The United States on March 6, 1969. While corruption and repression were features of his government, his achievements in foreign policy were recognized. During his government, the Code of Work and the Defense Law of the Democratic and Constitutional Order were enacted, and projects such as the “Chorrera del Guayabo” or the “November 5th” Dam, the Port of Acajutla, and the Institute of Urban Housing were constructed.
Salvador Salazar Arrué (Salarrué) was born in Sonsonate on October 22, 1899, and died in Los Planes de Renderos on November 28, 1975. He wrote stories, novels, poetry, and painted. He appreciated the humility of rural people and belonged to the “Native” movement. Among his visual artworks are: *La monja Blanca*, *La isla roja*, *La ciguanaba*. His literary works include: *Cuentos de barro*, *Cristo Negro*, *El Señor de la burbuja*, *O’yyarkandal*, *Eso y más*, *Cuentos de cipotes*, and *Mundo nomasito - una isla en el cielo*. ==Agriculture==