Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. 8. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. From 1960 to 1996 Guatemala suffered from a 36-year civil war between the US-backed government and leftist rebels supported mainly by indigenous people. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. Guatemala is not only the largest country in Central America, but also an endlessly intriguing place with a tumultuous history. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching . Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, 4. 33. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. It is estimated that this war claimed 200,000 casualties, including genocide committed against the Maya population. Guatemala is a developing country characterized by wide income disparities. 5. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. Located in Guatemala, 1.2 miles from Popol Vuh Museum, Meraki Boutique Hotel provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. The Country Has Had Two Nobel Prize Winners. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and . Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. 13. One of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. 10. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America 68th overall. In addition, every village celebrates the day of their Patron Saint, where cultural activities such as a presentation of crafts, processions and folkloric dances take place. The ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal in Guatemala is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization and was inhabited for 16 centuries from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. Flag. Vendors even set up stalls on the stairs leading to . The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Spanish and around 20 different Mayan languages. The indigenous Mayans and those of mixed or non-indigenous heritage, known as mestizos. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. It is also known as Guatemala City. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. While Spanish is the main tongue of Guatemala City, youll actually find that there are 21 other indigenous languages spoken by people living in and around the area, too. (Source: Britannica), 4. Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? Guatemala City (Spanish: Ciudad de Guatemala), officially New Guatemala of Assumption (Spanish: Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin), known locally as Guate, is the capital and largest city of Guatemala, and the most populous urban area in Central America.The city is located in the south-central part of the country, nestled in a mountain valley called Valle de la Ermita (English: Hermitage Valley). 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. Flag of Guatemala Other points of interest include the remarkable concrete relief map of the country in Minerva Park, the archaeological and historical museums, the colonial aqueduct, the central market, and Olympic City, built for the Central American Olympic Games of 1950. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. Guatemala has many light industries, most of which involve the processing of locally grown products such as chicken, beef, pork, coffee, wheat, corn, sugar, cotton, cacao, vegetables and fruits, and spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to . It was sacred to the ancient Mayan and Aztec people and that is one of the reasons why the colorful Quetzal was chosen as the countrys national bird. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . (2014). The picturesque town of Antigua, the ancient Maya city of Quirigua and Tikal National Park all have something very important in common; they are the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Guatemala. Interesting Facts. Your email address will not be published. Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! The ones in Panajachel, Antigua, and Guatemala City are all impressive as well. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and thats that the lake is the deepest in Central America. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! 9. There they teach painting, sculpture, and graphic art. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to replace Antigua Guatemala, which had been virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, as the capital of the captaincy general of Guatemala. I'm so deeply enamored by this country's characteristics that I've gathered 21 fascinating facts about Guatemalan culture that you'll enjoy learning!! Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. Guatemala City is home to both the Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno (National Museam of Modern Art) and the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plsticas Rafael Rodrguez Padilla (Guatemalas leading art school). Facts about Guatemala. Tikal is one of world's great ancient wonders. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. 12. There are measures you can practice to avoid getting sick such as avoiding drinks with ice cubes and not eating fruit and vegetables that are washed in tap water. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Official languages: Spanish Capital: Guatemala City Area: 108,890 km Population: 13.6 million residents Population density: 124.44 residents per km Currency: GTQ Internet TLD: .gt ISO codes: GT, GTM , 320 The prefix for Guatemala is +502. Crafts and Hobbies: the intricate designs and brilliant colors used in raw cloth, as well as finished garments, make Guatemalas hand-spun and woven textiles one of the finest in the world. Pop. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Clothes: the Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. Here are some intriguing facts you should know about Guatemala City. Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. 30. This makes it incredibly densely packed! The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. (Source: National Geographic), 13. 9. The People. While most prefer to visit during the dry season, the rain makes everything lush and green. Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. 16. 1. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! (Source: Britannica), 18. From Guatemala City, you can see four majestic volcanoes, the closest and most active of which is the Pacaya Volcano. 11 Interesting Facts about Albert Einstein. It is also referred to as the "land of the eternal spring" due to its warm tropical climate, which is more temperate in the highlands and drier in the easternmost areas. 14. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. All Rights Reserved. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. The latitude of Guatemala City, Guatemala is 14.628434 , and the longitude is -90.522713 . (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. It is called the land of eternal spring. It is estimated that between 30 and 50% of the labor force works in the agricultural sector and the main crops are coffee, sugar, and bananas. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. Your first clue of that will be the guards with pump-action shotguns outside every store, followed closely by the prodigious amounts of razor wire strewn over everything. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. While the Garifuna people of the Afro-Caribbean descent have their own varieties of folk music, lower classes enjoy the Cumbia, a dance oriented music genre. After the fall of the Spanish Empire, Guatemala assumed the claim of Belize. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Although cotton, silk, and wool are traditional fibers for clothing, they are also used to make rugs and blankets. See Four Magnificent Volcanoes. The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. Corrections? The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. 2. There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize, 13. (Source: BBC News), 19. Its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, also known asGuatemala City. I guess its an acquired taste or perhaps some people just dont know good beer. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. A great place to see a concentration of Mayan Ruins is in the Petn lowlands. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarezOvalle. Guatemala City, while technically the main hub of the country since the late 1700s, is actually the fourth capital city Guatemalas ever laid claim to. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Feeling hungry? Standing at 11,598 feet . Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. (Source: BBC News), 5. Plus, in the heart of the dry season . Known for its historical sites, natural beauty, and archaeological wonders, Guatemala receives around two million tourists a year. Guatemala is well-known for its awe-inspiring treasures. Found in the Guatemala Highlands in the Sierra Madre mountain range is Lake Atitln. At this time, their territory extended from Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . Maximn, also known as San Simn, is described as an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints, and conquistador legends.. 2. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. After independence from Spain was declared in 1821, Guatemala City served successively as the capital of the province of Central America under the Mexican Empire of Agustn de Iturbide (182223), the Central American Federation (182333), the state, and, finally, the independent Republic of Guatemala. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. The Garifuna people also live along the Caribbean side of Guatemala. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America - 68th overall. Guatemala also has numerous mountains and volcanoes. . 2. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. Christmas in Guatemala. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! Required fields are marked *. Atitln. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. The modern city was largely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquakes of 191718, which shook the city intermittently for six weeks. This is one of the most interesting Guatemala facts to learn. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on June 3, 2022. Guatemala is part of this area. Its even advised that tourists use bottled water when brushing their teeth. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. Which one touch you most leave a comment below. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. 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