Ten fun facts about Guatemala. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. Avg. This makes it incredibly densely packed! Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. At seven and a half percent, the diabetes rate in Guatemala is not beyond help, but 47.7 percent of the population is overweight, 16.4 percent of the population is obese and 12.4 percent of the population is considered physically inactive. $9,769. 37. Open now. In addition to modern art, there are also many indigenous artists who reflect the styles of their ancestors from centuries before. Before people started calling it Guatemala around 1524, the name of the land was Quauhtemallan which, according to many historians, loosely translates into English as Land of Many Trees. 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". 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. If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. . Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. Tours. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. Today you can go to many local markets to buy beautifully crafted jade jewelry. 6. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. The longest civil war in Latin American history was in Guatemala, 8. 41. $86.0 billion. Hilachas. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. Beverages: locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. 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. 32. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. On May 30, 2010, an enormous hole, 60 feet wide and 30 stories deep, opened up in the middle of Guatemala City, swallowing a three-story building and a home. 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. If you thought the idea for the McDonalds Happy Meal was cooked up in the United States, think again! Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. The famous "El Guarda" market in Guatemala City's Zona 11 is one such place, and you should avoid it. It is sided by important buildings and parks, such as the "Palacio Nacional de la Cultura" (the former presidential palace), the "Catedral Metropolitana", the "Biblioteca Nacional de Guatemala", the "Portal del Comrcio" and the "Parque Centenrio". View Trip. 3. The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. (Source: Britannica), 10. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Alternate titles: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. 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. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . The emblem is the countrys Coat of Arms which features crossed rifles and swords, a laurel wreath, a quetzal and the date that Central America became independent from Spain. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Share them in the comments below! Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, 3. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. Fortunately for visitors and locals alike, only three of the countrys 37 volcanoes are active so its safe to think that you will visit most of them without the worry of an eruption happening while youre there. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. But, compared to its neighbors in Central America (we're looking at you, Costa Rica), this beautiful . MAJESTIC TURKEY BY CULTURE TRIP. Guatemala has the youngest population in Latin America, 19. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. The population of Guatemala was 17,263,239 based on 2018 estimates. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. With a fascinating history and breathtaking nature, Guatemala has a lot to offer. Quetzaltenango is a city located 200 kilometers west of Guatemala City, at 2,333 meters above sea level. Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. 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, it is known as the Green Gold of Guatemala.. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. The modern city was largely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquakes of 191718, which shook the city intermittently for six weeks. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. Considered the food of the gods by the Mayans, the chocolate-making tradition originated in the Maya world, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala. Some are up to 30 years old. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It is the focus of highway, rail, and air transport and is the commercial and banking centre of the country. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. 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. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. 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. 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. 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. With a rich history and culture, there are plenty of fun facts about Guatemala to learn. 47. The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Guatemala City, or Guate to the locals, isn't what you'd call a pretty city. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. Jade is a semiprecious stone that has been used for centuries to decorate tools, ornaments, and mosaics. Guatemala, officially theRepublic of Guatemala, is the67th most populouscountry in the world. Below you can find a complete list of Guatemalan animals. 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. 23. 31. Although cotton, silk, and wool are traditional fibers for clothing, they are also used to make rugs and blankets. Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching . Family life: families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. The longest civil war in the history of Latin America, which was fought between military governments, right-wing vigilante groups and leftist rebels lasted a good 36 years. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. 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. 19. 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! 4. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. 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. Posted on Last updated: September 9, 2022. The capital city changed its location many times, 7. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. 20:21 Guatemala City Travel Tips. In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. 3. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! 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 know any fun facts about Guatemala? If youre planning to travel to Bulgaria, there are some important, For many, Tanzania may be the most well-known country in Africa. Interesting facts about Guatemala. (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. Guatemala also exports coffee, sugar cane, and palm oil, along with other fruits, vegetables, flowers, and handicrafts. It's an amazingly big city. More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. Guatemala was initially absorbed into the Mexican empire following independence from Spain. 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. Do Octopuses Have Bones? Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. 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. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. 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. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Guatemala City has a population of 1.022 million (2001). Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. No#20: Biggest business. 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. Hello, Im Diane Diegor. 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