View Trip. By the end of civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. Its border also touches Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras.Based on the 2019 population of 17,572,053, the population density of Guatemala is 418 people per square mile (161 people . Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? 47. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost. The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich indigenous culture and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. He was accompanied by Tlaxcaltecan warriors from what is now Mexico. Considered the food of the gods by the Mayans, the chocolate-making tradition originated in the Maya world, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala. Guatemala has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. Additionally, while twenty- one Mayan languages are widely spoken throughout the highlands, Xinca, Arawakan and two non-Mayan Amerindian languages are spoken on the Caribbean coast. Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. Here are 12 surprising things about Tikal: 1.) However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. 6. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. 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. The lake is the deepest lake in Central America and is believed to be 900 feet (300 meters) deep and covers 48 square miles (125 square kilometers). (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. Population. Jade is rare, but Guatemala happens to have more of these precious stones than most other places, making it a leading exporter of the pretty, greenish stones that are made into ornamental gems that are used in jewelry around the world. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. Tourism is very important to the Guatemalan economy, 16. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarez Ovalle. Interesting facts about Guatemala. Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. That's the county, not the city alone! 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. It's an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala city. If invited to a household in Guatemala, it is appropriate to bring chocolates, wine or flowers (avoid taking white flowers as they are generally brought to funerals). On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. That being said, if you can speak and understand some basic Spanish, youll get along just fine as most Guatemalans can speak it. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. The tallest volcano in Central America, which also happens to be inactive and one of the top places to visit in the country, is Tajumulco in San Marcos. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. In 1900 the population of Guatemala was 885,000. Guatemala is bordered by four countries and two oceans, 9. Guatemala is a developing country characterized by wide income disparities. 28. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . The civil war in Guatemala was fought between November 13, 1960, and December 29, 1996. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty and bordered by three towering volcanoes and several vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, no doubt, a beautiful place and one that you should visit if you happen to be in Guatemala. Tikal is one of world's great ancient wonders. Required fields are marked *. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Either way, I always like to try local dishes and beverages when I travel so if youre ever in Guatemala, try Gallo for yourself and form your own opinion! The capital city changed its location many times, 7. $86.0 billion. 15. The primary language of Guatemala is Spanish. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. 2. 4. With a rich history and culture, there are plenty of fun facts about Guatemala to learn. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. Guatemala is home to the highest point in Central America, 21. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. In addition to the government offices and services concentrated there, Guatemala City handles nearly half of the capital invested in the country and accounts for more than half of the industrial establishments and production of the republic. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Giving gifts: gifts can be given in a business setting, but are not usually entertained in the first meeting. All Saints Day Kite Festival, which takes place every November 1st, is a popular event in the country and kite-flying in honor of the dead has been part of local culture for over 3,000 years. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. It is sided by important buildings and parks, such as the "Palacio Nacional de la Cultura" (the former presidential palace), the "Catedral Metropolitana", the "Biblioteca Nacional de Guatemala", the "Portal del Comrcio" and the "Parque Centenrio". Required fields are marked *. Aside from that, the capital of Guatemala and its largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin. GDP Per Capita, PPP. It is called the land of eternal spring. People from all over the, Turkey is a large country literally on the diving line between Europe and Asia (but more on that later). Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. (Source: UNESCO), 3. 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. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). Guatemala City is the most populous city in Central America. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The People. The small Central American country of Guatemala spans the narrow strip of land between North and South America, touching both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Name: Republic of Guatemala (Repblica de Guatemala) Official Language: Spanish. He is usually depicted as a wood effigy, sitting in a chair. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. (Source: Britannica), 4. Volcanoes. He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. Itis a country inCentral America. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. 9. This is a list of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes in Guatemala. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The rainy season (invierno or winter) usually lasts from May until November. Guatemala City, Spanish Guatemala or in full Ciudad de Guatemala, capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America, and the political, social, cultural, and economic centre of Guatemala. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. Located just 25 miles south of the city, the Pacaya Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, having erupted over 25 times since 1965. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. 3.) And an average of 101 murders per week was reported in 2016. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. 27. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. No#10: Guatemala city. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. 38. A Rich Multilingual Country. There is even an entire festival dedicated to flying kites specifically to honor the dead. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! Additionally, the contrast between the poor Mayan villagers living in the rural highlands and the modern and wealthy mestizos population (known as ladinos in Guatemala) living in surrounding agricultural plains and cities is what defines the culture of Guatemala. (Source: Britannica), 10. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! 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About half the population lives in urban areas. . Updates? Similarly, before getting from the table after having the meal, you must say Con permiso, ya vengo(with your permission, Ill be right back). Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. The Guatemalan economy is robust, and is actually the largest economy in Central America. One of the few buildings that survived the earthquakes in 1917 and 1918 in Guatemala City, it was restored in 1984 with its walls now reaching up to one meter thick on the outside and 0.60 meters in the interior. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. Vendors even set up stalls on the stairs leading to . 3. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! About firecrackers and bombing sounds. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. (2014). One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She called it something else but when the idea crossed the desk of a McDonalds executive in the United States, he liked the idea and added it to the menu after changing the name to the one we know today, the Happy Meal. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. Guatemala, known as the "land of trees" in the Mayan tongue, is officially known as the Republic of Guatemala. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? Maximn, also known as San Simn, is described as an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints, and conquistador legends.. Guide to Skeleton, Teeth, Beak, 8 Safest Countries in Central America, Caribbean: Data Backed Travel Guide. Kaminaljuyu. 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. There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize, 13. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. More interestingly, the agricultural sector employs about 50% of the country's labor force. Plaza de la Constitucin. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. Along with the devastation it caused, the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of jade. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. The 2010 sinkhole (Associated Press, via horslips5/Flickr) The fact more people were not consumed was miraculous for the size of the hole, but a bigger disaster was already forming beneath the . 8. In 2018, 60,000 previously uncharted structures were found within an 811 square mile area (2,100 square kilometers) using LiDAR technology. 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 country's national bird. Guatemala City's rainy season is May through October, and its dry season November through April. But, compared to its neighbors in Central America (we're looking at you, Costa Rica), this beautiful . With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. Key Facts. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. 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. Tours. There are around 10,929 Guatemalans for every square mile in this city hardly space to escape for peace and quiet, but thats how they like it! Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! 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. Area. 44. Required fields are marked *. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. There are many different ways to celebrate deceased loved ones and in Guatemala, one popular way to do just that is by flying a kite. 16. 10. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. 18. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. 33. No#20: Biggest business. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. On the east coast, you will find the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. Some amazing facts about Guatemala. 12. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. Located in the wilds of . Flag of Guatemala It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. 1931 - Jorge Ubico becomes president; his tenure . Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. 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