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. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. Your email address will not be published. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and . Guatemala is bordered by Mexico , Belize , Honduras, and El Salvador. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! 20:21 Guatemala City Travel Tips. Families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. 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. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, 22. (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Plus, in the heart of the dry season . Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. He is usually depicted as a wood effigy, sitting in a chair. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. (Source: WWF), 9. One Country, Many Climates. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. 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). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Quetzaltenango is a city located 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City, at 2,333 meters above sea level. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Christmas in Guatemala. 36. More interestingly, the agricultural sector employs about 50% of the country's labor force. If youve ever heard the saying, if you dont like the weather, go to the back yard, you can apply it to the varying weather conditions of Guatemala! Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. Posted on Last updated: September 9, 2022. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. It is believed that Guatemala invented the first chocolate bar and its one of its biggest exports so we can thank the country for getting it out to the rest of us. 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. The food is excellent. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. People from all over the, Turkey is a large country literally on the diving line between Europe and Asia (but more on that later). As observed on the physical map of Guatemala, the country is largely mountainous with rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. 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. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Pop. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of 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. Alternate titles: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. The Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were . 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). The longest civil war in Latin American history was in Guatemala, 8. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Pacaya regularly spits out clouds of rock and ash. 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. The country has a long and rich history, and with that, Looking for a few fun facts about Italy? The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. Fast Facts | Important Information of Guatemala, 70 Fun Facts about Summer things that Only Happen in the Summer, 28 Fun Facts about Broccoli to let You Know, 27 Unique Interesting Facts about the Deciduous Forest, 60+ Fun Facts about Ladybugs That will Surprise You, 31 Unique Fun Facts about Iguanas that Pleasure to YOU, 42 Fun Facts about Blueberries that You Should Known, 72 Interesting Facts about lynx that Make You Known Unique. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. Nor, for that matter, is it an especially safe one. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. These are called Chicken Buses and youll see them all over Guatemala. 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 . Interesting Facts About Guatemala. (Source: The Guardian), 17. I love learning about other cultures and tasting their food. See Four Magnificent Volcanoes. 43. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. (2014). The Guatemalan economy is robust, and is actually the largest economy in Central America. 21. temperature: 23C / 73.4F. 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. Today you can go to many local markets to buy beautifully crafted jade jewelry. It is believed that drinking hot tortilla helps provide abundant, good and rich breast milk. It might seem like a familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City some of them are missing. Atitln. All of these risk factors make potential growth rates of diabetes a concern. Guatemala for Kids. Other points of interest include the remarkable concrete relief map of the country in Minerva Park, the archaeological and historical museums, the colonial aqueduct, the central market, and Olympic City, built for the Central American Olympic Games of 1950. Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. 41. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. 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? Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. 27. . The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. The west coast is on the Pacific Ocean. Guatemala is a Central American state known for its mixed cultures from the colonial period, as well as cultures of both Mayan and Spanish. Economic Overview. 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. Vendors even set up stalls on the stairs leading to . As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! 154. 03 Guatemala is a country in Central America. 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. 01 The origin of the name 'Guatemala' is 'Quahtlemallan' which means 'place of many trees'. Kings were buried in masks made of jade with the thought that it would accelerate their travel to the afterlife. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. 1. In 1900 the population of Guatemala was 885,000. 17,109,746. Kaminaljuyu. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. However, most of their great stone cities were abandoned by the year 900. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. Guatemala is not only the largest country in Central America, but also an endlessly intriguing place with a tumultuous history. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. These ruins are in the jungles of Northern Guatemala. Beyond the typical excursions to explore archeological ruins and colonial cities, Guatemala has a myriad array of tours on offer. 2. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. 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). 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. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. 20 8189 7000. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). 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