El Progreso department is located in the eastern Guatemala, one of the most varied regions in the country, about 90 km.(56 miles) from Guatemala City and 517 m. above the sea level. It is a very hot and dry region, being the highest average temperature 36C.

The parish churches of San Agustin Acasaguastlan and San Cristobal Acasaguastlan, two of the finest examples of 16th-century Baroque architecture can be found in this department.

This department is known for its handicrafts, specially the textiles and musical instruments, although its population, which is no more than 128,403 habitants, works also the leather and vegetal fibers.