Each village has its own individualist pattern, making it easy to identify the village of the person by the design of his or her clothes. It has four bordering countries that include Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. 25. The Beautiful Quetzal Bird / Facts About Guatemala. 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for? There are 2 mountain chains that run across Guatemala from West to East. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. Vendors even set up stalls on the stairs leading to . Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. It is located between Mexico and Belize (to the north and east) and El Salvador and Honduras (to the south and south-east). Nor, for that matter, is it an especially safe one. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. With a total of 42,042 square miles (108,889 square kilometers), Guatemala is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania, but the largest country in Central America. 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). One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. 6. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. Old American school buses are often refurbished with chrome and an elaborate custom paint job and repurposed as intercity buses in Guatemala. Facts about Guatemala. 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. Learn more about other Spanish-speaking countries. Sun: 7 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.3 hrs per day (daylight) Rain: 7mm per month. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! The Guatemalan flag takes inspiration from the flag used by the United Provinces of Central America which consisted of blue-white-blue stripes and a coat of arms in the centre. Guatemalans celebrate Dia de losMuertos, or the Day of the Dead, every first November. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. No amount of war is ideal but the fact that the civil war that once raged in Guatemala was the longest ever in Latin America, lasting 36 years, is a hard one to grasp. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. 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. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Pacaya regularly spits out clouds of rock and ash. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. We often hear about the ancient Mayans and their achievements and downfall but did you know that about half of Guatemalas population is indigenous and descended from the Maya people? Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. The beauty of the lake was praised by two prominent people in history: one being the German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, and the other being Aldous Huxley. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Guatemala-City, Guatemala City - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Guatemala City - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. 9. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Only slightly larger than the U.S. state of Tennessee, Guatemala is a mountainous country with one-third of the population living in cool highland villages. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. Guatemala City is said to suffer from poverty as a result of uneven income across the state - with 5% of the country controlling all but 15% of the wealth. Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. 2. All of these risk factors make potential growth rates of diabetes a concern. The capital city changed its location many times, 7. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. Required fields are marked *. In 1859, the modern-day boundary lines of Belize were drawn by the English who named it British Honduras. The national beer of Guatemala is Gallo. Guatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. National Colours: blue and white. Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. 20. Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. The civil war in Guatemala was fought between November 13, 1960, and December 29, 1996. The Land of the Eternal Spring. 17. This article may contain affiliate links. Surrounding Guatemala are the countries of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. 21. 36. The People. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. We hope you enjoyed these facts about Guatemala, for more facts about the world see below: Natasha is the co-founder of The World Pursuit. Guatemala is thought to be one of the first places to invent chocolate. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 2. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. View this post on Instagram. At seven and a half percent, the diabetes rate in Guatemala is not beyond help, but 47.7 percent of the population is overweight, 16.4 percent of the population is obese and 12.4 percent of the population is considered physically inactive. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. (Source: OEC), 25. Today you can go to many local markets to buy beautifully crafted jade jewelry. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? It is estimated that this war claimed 200,000 casualties, including genocide committed against the Maya population. Aside from that, the capital of Guatemala and its largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin. Incredible temples, an intricate writing system, a sophisticated calendar and many achievements in math, science and astronomy are just some of the things the Maya are known for. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. In 1900 the population of Guatemala was 885,000. 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). This volcano had its last small eruption in 1863 and has been quiet ever since. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53F in January to 60-85F in April. About half the population lives in urban areas. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. Guatemala has the youngest population in Latin America, 19. TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. 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. It is also known as Guatemala City. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. (2014). The climate in Guatemala City is pretty fantastic youll generally experience savannah weather here from around 70 degrees F up to 82 degrees F. Better pack some sunscreen and keep hydrated on the move, then! 48. 44. Have you been to Guatemala? About 60 percent of people are of European or mixed heritage, known as ladino (what is often called mestizo in English), with nearly all the remainder of Mayan ancestry. Cool Facts about Guatemala. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. 37. 20 Awesome Tips for Planning Your Patagonia Trip. Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. Your email address will not be published. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Museo de Historia. According to the Cardamom Association, Guatemala is the largest exporter of cardamom in the world. Elegant residential districts have grown up on the borders of the old city, particularly toward the south, and low-cost housing units have been constructed in various parts of the urban area. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet (4,220 meters), is the highest peak in Central America. 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. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. Do you like chocolate bars? Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. Maximn, also known as San Simn, is described as an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints, and conquistador legends.. 1. Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? 19. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. 8. The Guatemalan economy is robust, and is actually the largest economy in Central America. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. Performed at fiestas in honor of the local saint, these dances are musical dramas which recall historical events through the use of masks and costumes. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. Omissions? 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