20 facts about guatemala city

Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! 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. The name Tikal may be derived from ti ak'al in the Yucatec Maya language; and it is said to be a relatively modern name meaning "at the waterhole". Antigua Guatemala. 3. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. Required fields are marked *. 8. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Guatemalas national beer is called Gallo and although some people love it, others arent so fond of it. The country's contemporary capital, Guatemala City, is a major metropolitan centre; Quetzaltenango in the western highlands is the nucleus of the Indian population. The latitude of Guatemala City, Guatemala is 14.628434 , and the longitude is -90.522713 . Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . Key Facts. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. 46. Ethnicity, Language, And Religion In Guatemala. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. (Source: World Bank), 22. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. 1. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. National Colours: blue and white. Guatemala is best known as the birthplace of the Mayan civilisation and many of its ancient traditions are present across the country. This article may contain affiliate links. Corrections? 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. It also caused the death of a man. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. 36. Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. These include 21 Maya languages. The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the regions microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. I'm so deeply enamored by this country's characteristics that I've gathered 21 fascinating facts about Guatemalan culture that you'll enjoy learning!! Guatemalas national bird is the quetzal. 1. To the Spanish ear, it sounded like Guatemala., Quauhteallan means land of trees or forested land.. Meraki Boutique Hotel. 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. 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. (Source: WWF), 9. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. 44. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. Avg. 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 . Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. 48. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. The big, yellow buses that are used in the United States to shuttle kids back and forth to school have a lifespan of ten years or 150,000 miles. Volcanoes. 39. After independence from Spain was declared in 1821, Guatemala City served successively as the capital of the province of Central America under the Mexican Empire of Agustn de Iturbide (182223), the Central American Federation (182333), the state, and, finally, the independent Republic of Guatemala. 20 8189 7000. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. 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. The Home of the Happy Meal. Old American school buses are often refurbished with chrome and an elaborate custom paint job and repurposed as intercity buses in Guatemala. Coffee from Guatemala is said to be the best in the world and if youve ever tried it, youve likely tasted the difference because it stands out from any other coffee from anywhere else in the world. 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. In Guatemala, the gems are also used for ritualistic purposes. Photo credit. 51. 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 national beer is called Gallo. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). 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. 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. Beer and rum are major industries, as is the production of paper goods. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. Guatemala is part of the ring of fire, 20. Guatemala City is the most populous city in Central America. Pachas (a kind of tamale made from potatoes) is a common dish in Guatemala eaten usually on Thursdays. Guatemala is a budget-friendly country. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. Guatemala is home to a population of around 16,581,273 people. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. As observed on the physical map of Guatemala, the country is largely mountainous with rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes. 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. 32. The civil war in Guatemala was fought between November 13, 1960, and December 29, 1996. . The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. (Source: Lonely Planet), 16. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Guatemala has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore. Your email address will not be published. In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. All Rights Reserved. The longest civil war in Latin American history was in Guatemala, 8. 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 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Tikal is one of world's great ancient wonders. Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821 and that important event is celebrated every year on that date with the largest celebrations taking place in the vibrant city of Quetzaltenango. In fact, it is known as the Green Gold of Guatemala.. 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. Guatemala also exports coffee, sugar cane, and palm oil, along with other fruits, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts. Learn more about other Spanish-speaking countries. Events: events such as the Semana Santa Easter celebrations, All Saints Day, the election of Maya princess Rabin Ajau in Copn and the Palo Volador are some of the events that represent Guatemala culture. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. 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. 20. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. Guatemala City is home to 23 public markets selling produce from across the country. Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. A set of roasted corns is one of the typical street foods in Guatemala, eaten with salt and lemon. Congratulation! By the end of civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. This is one of the most interesting Guatemala facts to learn. The rainy season (invierno or winter) usually lasts from May until November. Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. Guatemala, officially theRepublic of Guatemala, is the67th most populouscountry in the world. 03 Guatemala is a country in Central America. Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching . By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. 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), 1. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. 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. More than 1,000,000 were forced to leave their home. Tours. About firecrackers and bombing sounds. Among the major religious structures are the cathedral (1815) and the churches of San Francisco, Santo Domingo (famous throughout Central America for its Holy Week procession), and La Merced (colonial but rebuilt after 1917). If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. Along with the devastation it caused, the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of jade. 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. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. 2. That's the county, not the city alone! According to the Cardamom Association, Guatemala is the largest exporter of cardamom in the world. 108,889 SQ.KM. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. 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. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. Some are up to 30 years old. On the east coast, you will find the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. 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. 26. It measures approximately 250 miles. People living in Guatemala are called Guatemalan. It's an amazingly big city. With a rich history and culture, there are plenty of fun facts about Guatemala to learn. Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. The famous "El Guarda" market in Guatemala City's Zona 11 is one such place, and you should avoid it. Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. However, most of their great stone cities were abandoned by the year 900. Beyond the typical excursions to explore archeological ruins and colonial cities, Guatemala has a myriad array of tours on offer. 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. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. If you are interested in seeing the lava flow, you may want to visit the Pacaya volcano. 4. The Guatemalan economy is robust, and is actually the largest economy in Central America. From Guatemala City, you can see four majestic volcanoes, the closest and most active of which is the Pacaya Volcano. GDP Per Capita, PPP. Sun: 7 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.3 hrs per day (daylight) Rain: 7mm per month. Required fields are marked *. So lets know What is Guatemala Famous for & Interesting Facts About Guatemala City. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. One of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). 1. Guide to Skeleton, Teeth, Beak, 8 Safest Countries in Central America, Caribbean: Data Backed Travel Guide. Guatemala became independent in 1821. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. Located in the wilds of . Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. 15. It's an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala city. A post shared by ETHNY CORNER (@ethny_corner) 4. 16. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. $9,769. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. Economic Overview. Your email address will not be published. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Pop. 10. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. Cool Facts about Guatemala. If youre a wildlife and nature lover, youll love exploring Guatemalas green spaces. Some of the volcanoes are active. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. In addition to modern art, there are also many indigenous artists who reflect the styles of their ancestors from centuries before. (2002) 942,348. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. The site of their first capital was called Quauhtemallan by the Mexican warriors (who spoke the Nahuatl language). Imagine these ancient ruins set against the lush jungle canopy and youll understand why they call this site mixed and why its one of the most visited places in the country. It is also the third-largest country in Central America behind Nicaragua and Honduras. 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