One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, 4. 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Guatemala City is surprisingly large. The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. 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. Omissions? It covers an area of 108,889 sq km. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America - 68th overall. Population. Guatemala was initially absorbed into the Mexican empire following independence from Spain. Required fields are marked *. 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. Do you like chocolate bars? Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. This makes it incredibly densely packed! Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. Hilachas. The first one was Iximche (1524) near the Mayan tribe Kaqchiquel until they rebelled. Flag of Guatemala Thats the county, not the city alone! Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. Avg. 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. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. (Source: National Geographic), 13. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, formed over 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera. . As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. One Country, Many Climates. These include 21 Maya languages. What cool facts would you add to my list? Photo credit. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. GDP. It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. Some of the volcanoes are active. The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the regions microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and thats that the lake is the deepest in Central America. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. 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! Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! Duolingo and The Wiz Tech. Interesting Facts. (Source: CIA World Fact Book) 2. Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. It is also known as Guatemala City. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. Guatemala is the third-largest country in Central America and the 105th largest country in the world. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Guatemala is home to the beautiful scarlet macaw and venomous Bothrops asper. One of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. Hello, Im Diane Diegor. A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. 45. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. 00:59 - Source: CNN. In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. Pachas (a kind of tamale made from potatoes) is a common dish in Guatemala eaten usually on Thursdays. To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. The Garifuna are descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians from the West Indies brought to Central . 2. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. 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. 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. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost. 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. While U.S. dollars are accepted in Guatemala, it's a good idea keep smaller Quetzal bills on hand. The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet (4,220 meters), is the highest peak in Central America. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! 2. The quetzal is also the name of Guatemalas currency. 20:21 Guatemala City Travel Tips. La muy Noble y muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala (Antigua) was founded on March 10, 1543. Do Octopuses Have Bones? Did you know that Guatemala is home to the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines both natural and cultural wonders? This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Guatemala-City, Guatemala City - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Guatemala City - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It measures approximately 250 miles. 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. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. So lets know What is Guatemala Famous for & Interesting Facts About Guatemala City. It is estimated that this war claimed 200,000 casualties, including genocide committed against the Maya population. All of these risk factors make potential growth rates of diabetes a concern. 56.01% are Ladino, meaning that they have a mix of European and Indigenous ancestry. 49. (2002) 942,348. 1. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty and bordered by three towering volcanoes and several vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, no doubt, a beautiful place and one that you should visit if you happen to be in Guatemala. A red bracelet is put on the babys right hand to protect her from bad spirited people. In 1998 hurricane Mitch hit Guatemala. This means that Guatemala has had the fastest population growth out of any country in the Western Hemisphere during the last 100 years. The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. Have you been to Guatemala? 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. Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. It is also the third-largest country in Central America behind Nicaragua and Honduras. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. (Source: The Nobel Prize), 12. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, 3. 20 8189 7000. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. Heres how to order food in Spanish. Tourism is very important to the Guatemalan economy, 16. 34. With average temperatures of 23C / 73.4F in December, Guatemala makes for a great escape from the harsh winters of the Northern hemisphere. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. If youre flying out to Guatemala City, it may be worth taking note of the longitude and latitude! While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . The Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were . Along the Pacific in the south is a fertile coastal plain. The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. 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. More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. Known for its historical sites, natural beauty, and archaeological wonders, Guatemala receives around two million tourists a year. Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. National Colours: blue and white. 22. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. 1. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. 28. 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. Dining Etiquettes: when invited to a Guatemala household for dinner, carry a small gift item (avoid food items) for the family. Guatemala has two main seasons. 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. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. Quetzaltenango is a city located 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City, at 2,333 meters above sea level. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. 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. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? Inhabited 13,000 Years. Belize officially became independent in 1981, but Guatemala did not acknowledge this until September 1991. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Some amazing facts about Guatemala. The Land of the Eternal Spring. Guatemala is bordered by four countries and two oceans, 9. Guatemala is a Central American state known for its mixed cultures from the colonial period, as well as cultures of both Mayan and Spanish. 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. 3. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Name: Republic of Guatemala (Repblica de Guatemala) Official Language: Spanish. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. 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. It is also known as Xela (pronounced "sheh-lah") or Xelaj ("sheh-lah-hoo"), its original name in the k'iche' language, and which means "under the ten ideas or concepts". Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. Avg. 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