Here you can pick up souvenirs and see the huge piles of produce, flowers and other goods for sale. 16. Staff at Inguat, at 7 Av 1-17, Zona 4, Guatemala City (t 2421 2800, w visitguatemala.com), are always helpful and English-speakers are available. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. The longest civil war in the history of Latin America, which was fought between military governments, right-wing vigilante groups and leftist rebels lasted a good 36 years. He was accompanied by Tlaxcaltecan warriors from what is now Mexico. Guatemala carries a mix of indigenous and colonial influences, a strong Mayan culture, and a rich natural landscape where you can find ancient ruins deep in the rainforest, Guatemala is as captivating in real life as it sounds. 49. 2. View Trip. A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. 25. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Located in the wilds of . 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. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. Guatemala is the worlds largest exporter of cardamom, 15. 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? Straddling Guatemala's border with Mexico, Volcan Tacana towers above its surroundings, dwarfing everything with its colossal 4,060-metre summit. 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. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. Do Octopuses Have Bones? Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. 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. 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. Guatemala has at least 30 volcanoes, of which four are currently active: Pacaya, Fuego, Santiaguito and Tacan. 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). This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. Itis a country inCentral America. 36. 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. Hilachas. TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. Economic Overview. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. Guatemala geographical features more than other city. La muy Noble y muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala (Antigua) was founded on March 10, 1543. A Rich Multilingual Country. If you want to make sure you speak the local lingo before you visit, be sure to brush up on your Spanish, as its the official language of the city. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. 2.) $9,769. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Although cotton, silk, and wool are traditional fibers for clothing, they are also used to make rugs and blankets. Thats the county, not the city alone! 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). 48. Guatemala is the third-largest country in Central America and the 105th largest country in the world. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. Marriages: marriages in Guatemalan society is celebrated in a civil ceremony, followed by a religious rite. 43. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Violent crime is a serious concern due to endemic poverty, an abundance of weapons, a legacy of societal violence, and weak law enforcement and judicial systems. No#10: Guatemala city. 11 Interesting Facts about Albert Einstein. 1. 3. Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to . It is also known as Guatemala City. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. About half the population lives in urban areas. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. 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. With its suburbs, Guatemala City holds more than 20% of the republic's population. 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. (2014). 1. In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 9. 26. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. Guatemala is part of the ring of fire, 20. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. 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! Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. (Source: CNN), 24. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. It's an amazingly big city. 22. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Feeling hungry? More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. 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. The Garifuna people also live along the Caribbean side of Guatemala. Cool mountainous areas, damp jungles and sweltering coastal regions are just some of the conditions youll find around the country. 40. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. 14. Traveling to a country where you dont speak the language? Communication: while the Maya adults greet each other verbally, asking about ones health and family, Latino adults greeting and farewells call for embraces, handshakes, arm or shoulder patting and even cheek kissing almost from the first acquaintance. 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! If you are interested in seeing the lava flow, you may want to visit the Pacaya volcano. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Kings were buried in masks made of jade with the thought that it would accelerate their travel to the afterlife. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? 1. Tours. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America 68th overall. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and thats that the lake is the deepest in Central America. One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. It is the country that has become synonymouswith the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. Going out in pairs, or groups will help cut any risks. 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. According to a 2018 census, 41.66% of Guatemalans are Mayan. The Beautiful Quetzal Bird / Facts About Guatemala. In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. Suchitan, Ixtepeque, Acatenango, Atitlan, Moyuta, Agua, Cerro Santiago, Tajumulco, Chingo, Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Cuilapa-Barbarena, Flores, Fuego, IpalaVolc Field, Santa Maria, Almolonga, Santo Tomas, Tahual, Pacaya, Tecuamburro and Toliman are the names of some of the volcanoes from the region. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. Christmas in Guatemala. The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the regions microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. Part of the Central America Volcanic Arc, Volcan Tacana lies in a remote part of Guatemala. . 00:59 - Source: CNN. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. After gaining independence from Spain in the 1820s, Guatemala had a long history of government by authoritarian rule and military regimes until it came under democratic rule in 1985. GDP Per Capita, PPP. After the fall of the Spanish Empire, Guatemala assumed the claim of Belize. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 14. Share them in the comments below! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. 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