Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. (Source: World Bank), 22. Before starting a meal, it is a custom in Guatemala to say to everyone Buen provecho (enjoy your meal). Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Guatemala City, or Guate to the locals, isn't what you'd call a pretty city. 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for? However, it was composed by Rafael lvarezOvalle. These ruins are in the jungles of Northern Guatemala. Budget Hotel. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. Part of the Central America Volcanic Arc, Volcan Tacana lies in a remote part of Guatemala. 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. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Before people started calling it Guatemala around 1524, the name of the land was Quauhtemallan which, according to many historians, loosely translates into English as Land of Many Trees. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. 31. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. Guatemala is bordered by Mexico , Belize , Honduras, and El Salvador. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. Guatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. 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. 42. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. This is one of the most interesting Guatemala facts to learn. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. 9. The Maya believed that jade had a spiritual significance. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! Guatemala is a Central American state known for its mixed cultures from the colonial period, as well as cultures of both Mayan and Spanish. The Beautiful Quetzal Bird / Facts About Guatemala. (Source: OEC), 25. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. Guatemala is a budget-friendly country. It is also the third-largest country in Central America behind Nicaragua and Honduras. In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. No#11: Famous things. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. On a trip to the country, a traveler learns about the strong cultural heritage of Guatemalans which blends indigenous European, Mayan and Caribbean influences. While the dance of conquest evokes the victory of Spanish over the Amerindians, the deer dance represents the struggle between humans and animals. 1. On May 30, 2010, an enormous hole, 60 feet wide and 30 stories deep, opened up in the middle of Guatemala City, swallowing a three-story building and a home. Its even advised that tourists use bottled water when brushing their teeth. This article may contain affiliate links. La muy Noble y muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala (Antigua) was founded on March 10, 1543. Belize officially became independent in 1981, but Guatemala did not acknowledge this until September 1991. 12. 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. The People. Avg. Guatemala Area and Population Density. Guatemala has been designated a megadiverse country out of only 17 countries thatve received this honor. (Source: National Geographic), 13. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. No#10: Guatemala city. 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. 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. A great contrast can be seen between the cultures of the poverty-stricken Mayan rural residents of the country who live in the highland region and the relatively wealthy mestizos (called Ladinos in Guatemala) living in the urban areas. Estimates suggest that Guatemala has 250 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, and numerous species of butterflies and insects. 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! Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. 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. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, 3. Please add your thoughts to the comments below. Home / Central America / Fun Facts about Guatemala City. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. (Source: Britannica), 4. It is believed that drinking hot tortilla helps provide abundant, good and rich breast milk. Old American school buses are often refurbished with chrome and an elaborate custom paint job and repurposed as intercity buses in Guatemala. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Guatemalans celebrate Dia de losMuertos, or the Day of the Dead, every first November. 6. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. Guatemala also exports coffee, sugar cane, and palm oil, along with other fruits, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts. Standing at 11,598 feet . DK: London), 8. The site of their first capital was called Quauhtemallan by the Mexican warriors (who spoke the Nahuatl language). Giving gifts: gifts can be given in a business setting, but are not usually entertained in the first meeting. One Country, Many Climates. 2. Your email address will not be published. Humidity: 80%. 1. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. It is also known as Guatemala City. Guatemala geographical features more than other city. 4. Guatemala is the worlds largest exporter of cardamom, 15. The characteristic appearance created by low massive structures has been modified somewhat by the erection of steel and concrete multistoried hotels and office and apartment buildings of modern design. Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? Official name:Republic of GuatemalaCapital city:Guatemala CityPopulation:17,153,288Area:108,889 sq kmMajor languages:Spanish, Maya languagesTime zone:UTC-6 (Central Time Zone)(Source:CIA World Fact Book). Essential Facts. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. 3. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. The Mayan civilization was one of the most progressive civilizations in the pre-Columbian age and they built a huge part of their empire in what is now present-day Guatemala. Known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that conform Central America. By myom624. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. 36. 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. The national beer is called Gallo. 1. 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. She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. Did you know that Guatemala is home to the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines both natural and cultural wonders? Corrections? . Guatemala has two main seasons. Vendors even set up stalls on the stairs leading to . Plaza de la Constitucin. Beautiful Volcn Atitln is the tallest of the three impressive volcanoes on spectacular Lake Atitln, one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America. Most backpackers follow the same route. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. The Land of the Eternal Spring. 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. 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. Guatemala is one of the safest countries in Central America. That's the county, not the city alone! Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. Flag of Guatemala Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. These include 21 Maya languages. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! The Spanish, who ruled over Guatemala until 1821, essentially enslaved the indigenous people of the area and forced them to work on their own land for the benefit of the colonialists. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. We currently track 281 animals in Guatemala and are adding more every day! The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Guatemala City is home to 23 public markets selling produce from across the country. It's an amazingly big city. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. And an average of 101 murders per week was reported in 2016. Now (as of 2022), the population is 17,703,190. Tourism is very important to the Guatemalan economy, 16. When they reach one of these milestones, they are auctioned off and taken to Guatemala, where local people repaint them and use them for budget-friendly public transportation. Your email address will not be published. 7. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. 49. Cultural destinations. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. Distrust of the city in other areas of Central America and the prevalence of open fighting in the citys streets and public buildings was a factor in the demise of the federation and in the failure of subsequent attempts to revive it. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Guatemalas national bird is the quetzal. 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. The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. 20:21 Guatemala City Travel Tips. With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Tajumulco Volcano in Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. 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. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. (2002) 942,348. (Source: Britannica), 10. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. 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. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. 3. 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. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. 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