There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. 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! Do Octopuses Have Bones? The Garifuna people also live along the Caribbean side of Guatemala. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. National Colours: blue and white. 20 8189 7000. 26. 56. Fortunately for visitors and locals alike, only three of the countrys 37 volcanoes are active so its safe to think that you will visit most of them without the worry of an eruption happening while youre there. As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. The People. The primary language of Guatemala is Spanish. It might seem like a familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City some of them are missing. 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. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. If you are interested in seeing the lava flow, you may want to visit the Pacaya volcano. Guatemala City has a population of 1.022 million (2001). The country has a long and rich history, and with that, Looking for a few fun facts about Italy? A Rich Multilingual Country. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Guatemala for Kids. Economic Overview. 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). There are 2 mountain chains that run across Guatemala from West to East. The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. Straddling Guatemala's border with Mexico, Volcan Tacana towers above its surroundings, dwarfing everything with its colossal 4,060-metre summit. (2002) 942,348. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. (Source: Lonely Planet), 16. Population. This makes it incredibly densely packed! Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to . Thats the county, not the city alone! View this post on Instagram. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Jade is a semiprecious stone that has been used for centuries to decorate tools, ornaments, and mosaics. While U.S. dollars are accepted in Guatemala, it's a good idea keep smaller Quetzal bills on hand. Public buildings of note include the National Palace, the post office, police headquarters, the National Archives, the National Archaeological Museum (with its collection of Mayan artifacts), the National Library, and the modern cluster of buildings around the city hall. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Every year on All Saints Day, the people of Sacatepequez fly giant kites up to 12m in size over the graves of their family members while they pray and lay flowers. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. Guatemala is probably an indigenous name originating either from the words Quauhtemallan meaning land of trees or Guhatezmalha meaning mountain of vomiting water, referring to its volcanic eruptions. Budget Hotel. Guatemala geographical features more than other city. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. He is usually depicted as a wood effigy, sitting in a chair. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. 21. Chocolate can be found everywhere in the country including in shops and even in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet treat. 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. On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. 5. 00:59 - Source: CNN. 33. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. 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. . Share them in the comments below! Atitln. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. The country's contemporary capital, Guatemala City, is a major metropolitan centre; Quetzaltenango in the western highlands is the nucleus of the Indian population. (Source: BBC News), 5. 13. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. Antigua Guatemala. temperature: 23C / 73.4F. Suchitan, Ixtepeque, Acatenango, Atitlan, Moyuta, Agua, Cerro Santiago, Tajumulco, Chingo, Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Cuilapa-Barbarena, Flores, Fuego, Ipala Volc Field, Santa Maria, Almolonga, Santo Tomas, Tahual, Pacaya, Tecuamburro and Toliman are the names of some of the volcanoes from the region. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. Guatemala is home to the highest point in Central America, 21. The famous "El Guarda" market in Guatemala City's Zona 11 is one such place, and you should avoid it. He was accompanied by Tlaxcaltecan warriors from what is now Mexico. 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. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. 3.) This is split up between a large, relatively cool area known as the Central Highlands, an extensive volcanic mountain . Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. If you guessed that the country is home to many fabulous beaches on both coasts, youd be right! Sun: 7 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.3 hrs per day (daylight) Rain: 7mm per month. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America - 68th overall. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. Alternate titles: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. This makes it incredibly densely packed! Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. Guatemala has two main seasons. It measures approximately 250 miles. 1. There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize, 13. All Rights Reserved. 22. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. (Source: BBC News), 19. It measures approximately 250 miles. 43. Check out our language learning section. Your email address will not be published. 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. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. 25. Fun Facts About Vermont | 35 Things You Might Not Know. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarez Ovalle. 8. Duolingo and The Wiz Tech. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? It is called the land of eternal spring. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. 27. Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. Guatemalan clothing facts: The Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. Among the poor classes of both the Ladino and Mayan, unions are free and ties are brittle. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. 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. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. km (42,042 sq mi). 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. Most backpackers follow the same route. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Guatemala is part of this area. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. Guatemala is best known as the birthplace of the Mayan civilisation and many of its ancient traditions are present across the country. Cuisine: Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet (4,220 meters), is the highest peak in Central America. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, 22. Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. Nearly half of its population is under the age of 19. Along the Pacific in the south is a fertile coastal plain. One day in Guatemala City. A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. At this time, their territory extended from Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. 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? 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. Known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that conform Central America. Nor, for that matter, is it an especially safe one. 31. Interesting facts about Guatemala. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. Guatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Guatemala Area and Population Density. Guatemala is home to a population of around 16,581,273 people. Join us as we share our experiences and the best attractions, animals, and foods from around the world. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Have you been to Guatemala? We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. 2. 14. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. (Source: Britannica), 18. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. Quetzaltenango is a city located 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City, at 2,333 meters above sea level. . It is also known as Guatemala City. Dressing in layers is a must here! 4. Congratulation! Coffee is the most-known export but bananas and sugar are also considered main products that are used both locally and exported to other countries. 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. Some are up to 30 years old. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. 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). 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. Your email address will not be published. This volcano had its last small eruption in 1863 and has been quiet ever since. The food is excellent. 3. Its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, also known asGuatemala City. 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. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. 1. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. These ruins are in the jungles of Northern Guatemala. Updates? The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. 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. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. 2 mountain chains that run across Guatemala from West to East significant export in 1863 and been! Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and Santa Maria volcano but in Guatemala 6! Peak in all of Central America - 68th overall Mayan times us as we share our experiences and the attractions. 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