That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. 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. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. Guatemala flag. On the east coast, you will find the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. temperature: 23C / 73.4F. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. Lying in a valley of the central highlands at an elevation of 4,897 feet (1,493 metres) above sea level, it has a temperate and invigorating mountain climate. 8. 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. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 14. (Source: World Bank), 22. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Performed at fiestas in honor of the local saint, these dances are musical dramas which recall historical events through the use of masks and costumes. Guatemala is thought to be one of the first places to invent chocolate. It has an area of 108,889 sq km. In Guatemala, the gems are also used for ritualistic purposes. Some Guatemalans venerate a saint who smokes cigars and drinks liquor, 24. 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. Similarly, before getting from the table after having the meal, you must say Con permiso, ya vengo(with your permission, Ill be right back). TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. If youre a wildlife and nature lover, youll love exploring Guatemalas green spaces. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Inhabited 13,000 Years. (2014). Land of the Maya. Built 1,500 m above sea-level, in an earthquake-prone region, it was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1773 but its principal monuments are still preserved as ruins. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). The Garifuna are descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians from the West Indies brought to Central . Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. Quetzaltenango is a city located 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City, at 2,333 meters above sea level. (Source: Lonely Planet), 16. 21. 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 . Guatemala City has a population of 1.022 million (2001). In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. In fact, schools across the citys many zones are likely to close early if ash is descending purely a move of safety! Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. 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. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. 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 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. In fact, schools across the citys many zones are likely to close early if ash is descending purely a move of safety! Guatemala has a rainy season and a dry season, 23. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. 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. 01 The origin of the name 'Guatemala' is 'Quahtlemallan' which means 'place of many trees'. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. 1931 - Jorge Ubico becomes president; his tenure . It's an amazingly big city. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. These include 21 Maya languages. (2014). 23. Key Facts. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. 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. Kings were buried in masks made of jade with the thought that it would accelerate their travel to the afterlife. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. https://www.britannica.com/place/Guatemala-City, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g292006-Guatemala_City_Guatemala_Department-Vacations.html, Your email address will not be published. Nearly half of its population is under the age of 19. 38. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. 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. 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. Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. The population of Guatemala was 17,263,239 based on 2018 estimates. 8. By contrast, the median age in the United States is 38.5 years. 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). The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the regions microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. After the fall of the Spanish Empire, Guatemala assumed the claim of Belize. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. 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 the youngest population in Latin America, 19. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! 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. 4. The ones in Panajachel, Antigua, and Guatemala City are all impressive as well. Here are some intriguing facts you should know about Guatemala City. More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Cultural destinations. There are threeUNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. 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. 13. Guatemala has two main seasons. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. As observed on the physical map of Guatemala, the country is largely mountainous with rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes. 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. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. Since that day, the country has weathered two revolutions, a handful of dictatorships, an intervention backed by the United States, a civil war and several military coups. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. Guatemalas national beer is called Gallo and although some people love it, others arent so fond of it. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost. 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. Guatemala is one of the safest countries in Central America. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. 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. 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. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. 108,889 SQ.KM. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. 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). Below you can find a complete list of Guatemalan animals. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. Plaza de la Constitucin. To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. Guatemala is well-known for its awe-inspiring treasures. Guatemala also exports coffee, sugar cane, and palm oil, along with other fruits, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53F in January to 60-85F in April. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. (Source: CNN), 24. Required fields are marked *. GDP Per Capita, PPP. Bananas and coffee are Guatemalas biggest exports. Only slightly larger than the U.S. state of Tennessee, Guatemala is a mountainous country with one-third of the population living in cool highland villages. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. Spanish and around 20 different Mayan languages. (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! 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. Guatemala knew 36 years of civil war. He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Beer and rum are major industries, as is the production of paper goods. Beyond the typical excursions to explore archeological ruins and colonial cities, Guatemala has a myriad array of tours on offer. 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. Find the most relevant statistics and facts about Guatemala. These are called Chicken Buses and youll see them all over Guatemala. 2.) Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Corrections? We currently track 281 animals in Guatemala and are adding more every day! Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. One of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). Sports: one of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. 42. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. Now (as of 2022), the population is 17,703,190. 9. Here are 12 surprising things about Tikal: 1.) One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. 1. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. 18. This means that Guatemala has had the fastest population growth out of any country in the Western Hemisphere during the last 100 years. 27. So lets know What is Guatemala Famous for & Interesting Facts About Guatemala City. In the environs of Guatemala City are the villages of Chinautla, famous for hand-formed pottery, Mixco, which supplies the capital with fruits and vegetables, and the Indian towns of San Pedro and San Juan Sacatepquez, all of which suffered extensive damage in the earthquake of 1976. Feeling hungry? 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! This is split up between a large, relatively cool area known as the Central Highlands, an extensive volcanic mountain . The country has a long and rich history, and with that, Looking for a few fun facts about Italy? 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. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. 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). View Trip. Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching . 17,109,746. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. 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! 20. 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. The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Today tamales are filled with beef, pork, chicken, cheese, green chiles, and vegetables. The Home of the Happy Meal. Check out our language learning section. Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. 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. That's the county, not the city alone! The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, formed over 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. It is located between Mexico and Belize (to the north and east) and El Salvador and Honduras (to the south and south-east). On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. 31. There are around 22 different zones that the city splits into though some dont actually exist thanks to border clashes. Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, 4. One of the top textiles produced in the country is blue denim. 1. 7. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. This is a list of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes in Guatemala. Home / Central America / Fun Facts about Guatemala City. . 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! Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Part of the Central America Volcanic Arc, Volcan Tacana lies in a remote part of Guatemala. 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