We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. 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. 2. From Guatemala City, you can see four majestic volcanoes, the closest and most active of which is the Pacaya Volcano. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and . 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? With a population of 18.4 million, (as of 2021) Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and the fifth-largest country of the North American continent. Its even advised that tourists use bottled water when brushing their teeth. 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. With many languages & natural beauty Mount Guatemala is a very popular tourist destination. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . 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. Going out in pairs, or groups will help cut any risks. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. 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. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. Dining Etiquettes: when invited to a Guatemala household for dinner, carry a small gift item (avoid food items) for the family. 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. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. Guatemala is one of the most interesting countries we have traveled to. Corrections? (Source: BBC News), 19. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. Flag. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarezOvalle. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. km (42,042 sq mi). Updates? The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Budget Hotel. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. (2014). Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. The export of coffee is the countrys biggest business. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? 1. 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. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Beverages: locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. . $86.0 billion. Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. Guatemala is one of the safest countries in Central America. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 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. It is located between Mexico and Belize (to the north and east) and El Salvador and Honduras (to the south and south-east). Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. Heres how to order food in Spanish. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. 20. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. 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. 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. With average temperatures of 23C / 73.4F in December, Guatemala makes for a great escape from the harsh winters of the Northern hemisphere. This volcano had its last small eruption in 1863 and has been quiet ever since. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. 1. The Mayan Empire was centered in the lowlands of Guatemala, 5. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. 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 bird is the quetzal. 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. 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. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Official languages: Spanish Capital: Guatemala City Area: 108,890 km Population: 13.6 million residents Population density: 124.44 residents per km Currency: GTQ Internet TLD: .gt ISO codes: GT, GTM , 320 The prefix for Guatemala is +502. 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. Here are some intriguing facts you should know about Guatemala City. (Source: National Geographic), 13. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. Points of Interest & Landmarks Parks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on August 11, 2022. With a fascinating history and breathtaking nature, Guatemala has a lot to offer. View this post on Instagram. It is the country that has become synonymouswith the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. 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). We hope you enjoyed these facts about Guatemala, for more facts about the world see below: Natasha is the co-founder of The World Pursuit. GDP Per Capita, PPP. Family life: families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. Guatemala has a rainy season and a dry season, 23. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! 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. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It has an area of 108,889 sq km. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. It measures approximately 250 miles. 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. It is also referred to as the "land of the eternal spring" due to its warm tropical climate, which is more temperate in the highlands and drier in the easternmost areas. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. 46. 51. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. Population. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. It is the focus of highway, rail, and air transport and is the commercial and banking centre of the country. There are many different ways to celebrate deceased loved ones and in Guatemala, one popular way to do just that is by flying a kite. Trek up Volcn de Pacaya A day-trip from Antigua or Guatemala City, a hike to the top of active volcano Pacaya is an unforgettable experience. Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. The Land of the Eternal Spring. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Nearly half of its population is under the age of 19. You complete. The site of their first capital was called Quauhtemallan by the Mexican warriors (who spoke the Nahuatl language). More than 1,000,000 were forced to leave their home. Below you can find a complete list of Guatemalan animals. (2014). Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. It measures approximately 250 miles. Climate. Guatemala is a popular destination among travelers due to its unique heritage and natural beauty. 7. Guatemala is bordered by four countries and two oceans, 9. 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