47. Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Here you can pick up souvenirs and see the huge piles of produce, flowers and other goods for sale. By myom624. 29. The capital of the country is Guatemala City, with about a million people living there. That's the county, not the city alone! 3.) The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. The export of coffee is the countrys biggest business. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. The quetzal is also the name of Guatemalas currency. Hilachas. If you thought the idea for the McDonalds Happy Meal was cooked up in the United States, think again! 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. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. It is called the land of eternal spring. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. Coffee from Guatemala is said to be the best in the world and if youve ever tried it, youve likely tasted the difference because it stands out from any other coffee from anywhere else in the world. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. 17,109,746. Considered the food of the gods by the Mayans, the chocolate-making tradition originated in the Maya world, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. 19. 31. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. Budget Hotel. 03 Guatemala is a country in Central America. Chocolate can be found everywhere in the country including in shops and even in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet treat. 13. About 60 percent of people are of European or mixed heritage, known as ladino (what is often called mestizo in English), with nearly all the remainder of Mayan ancestry. Known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that conform Central America. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Hotel in Zona 10, Guatemala. 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for? We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. Climate. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . The longest civil war in Latin American history was in Guatemala, 8. If you guessed that the country is home to many fabulous beaches on both coasts, youd be right! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! (Source: BBC News), 19. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. Guatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. The ones in Panajachel, Antigua, and Guatemala City are all impressive as well. 1. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. It's an amazingly big city. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, 3. 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. In Guatemala, the gems are also used for ritualistic purposes. View this post on Instagram. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. Here are 12 surprising things about Tikal: 1.) Alternate titles: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. 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. We currently track 281 animals in Guatemala and are adding more every day! The major cash crops in Guatemala include coffee, bananas, sugar, cotton hemp, and cacao. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich indigenous culture and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? Your email address will not be published. Guatemala is part of this area. A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. 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! The Mayan civilization was one of the most progressive civilizations in the pre-Columbian age and they built a huge part of their empire in what is now present-day Guatemala. Elegant residential districts have grown up on the borders of the old city, particularly toward the south, and low-cost housing units have been constructed in various parts of the urban area. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. All Rights Reserved. It has four bordering countries that include Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. Beyond the typical excursions to explore archeological ruins and colonial cities, Guatemala has a myriad array of tours on offer. Jade is rare, but Guatemala happens to have more of these precious stones than most other places, making it a leading exporter of the pretty, greenish stones that are made into ornamental gems that are used in jewelry around the world. A red bracelet is put on the babys right hand to protect her from bad spirited people. This makes it incredibly densely packed! You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. 8. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. The capital city of Guatemala is Guatemala City. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Your email address will not be published. Along with the devastation it caused, the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of jade. The export of coffee is the countrys biggest business. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include 21 Maya languages. While U.S. dollars are accepted in Guatemala, it's a good idea keep smaller Quetzal bills on hand. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. The country is also the world's leading producer of Jade. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. 10. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! 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. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. 28. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. 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. He was accompanied by Tlaxcaltecan warriors from what is now Mexico. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. But remnants of other ancient sites have been unearthed and can be found all over the country. 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. Photo credit. Tours. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. 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 City is surprisingly large. It also caused the death of a man. In Guatemala, turtle conservation is taken seriously and visitors to the country have the chance to help release sea turtles into the ocean at Tortugario Monterrico. The Guatemalan flag takes inspiration from the flag used by the United Provinces of Central America which consisted of blue-white-blue stripes and a coat of arms in the centre. The modern city was largely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquakes of 191718, which shook the city intermittently for six weeks. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. Share them in the comments below! . 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. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on June 3, 2022. Before starting a meal, it is a custom in Guatemala to say to everyone Buen provecho (enjoy your meal). La muy Noble y muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Goathemala (Antigua) was founded on March 10, 1543. 02 Another name for the nation is Land of Eternal Spring. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. Population. Ten fun facts about Guatemala. The site of their first capital was called Quauhtemallan by the Mexican warriors (who spoke the Nahuatl language). Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. It's an amazingly big city. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. Guatemala City, or Guate to the locals, isn't what you'd call a pretty city. The national beer of Guatemala is Gallo. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. Coffee is the most-known export but bananas and sugar are also considered main products that are used both locally and exported to other countries. Please add your thoughts to the comments below. There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. He is usually depicted as a wood effigy, sitting in a chair. Guatemala, officially theRepublic of Guatemala, is the67th most populouscountry in the world. 46. Tikal was one of the major metropolises of the Mayan civilization and one of the biggest in the world. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. It has an area of 108,889 sq km. (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. 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. 15. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. No#20: Biggest business. Omissions? Guatemala City is surprisingly large. 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. Distrust of the city in other areas of Central America and the prevalence of open fighting in the citys streets and public buildings was a factor in the demise of the federation and in the failure of subsequent attempts to revive it. The capital city changed its location many times, 7. The population of Guatemala was 17,263,239 based on 2018 estimates. Join us as we share our experiences and the best attractions, animals, and foods from around the world. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. Guatemala has at least 30 volcanoes, of which four are currently active: Pacaya, Fuego, Santiaguito and Tacan. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 30. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 14. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. 5. (Source: BBC News), 5. Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! One of the top textiles produced in the country is blue denim. Meraki Boutique Hotel. In fact, it is known as the Green Gold of Guatemala.. 12. Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, 4. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). GDP Per Capita, PPP. 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. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. Required fields are marked *. Learn more about other Spanish-speaking countries. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. Guatemala is a developing country characterized by wide income disparities. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. 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. It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! While Spanish is the main tongue of Guatemala City, youll actually find that there are 21 other indigenous languages spoken by people living in and around the area, too. Read More 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for?Continue, Read More Fun Facts About Vermont | 35 Things You Might Not KnowContinue, Read More 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for?Continue, Read More 50+ Interesting Facts About Austin TexasContinue, Read More Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody KnowContinue, Read More 30 Interesting & Fun Facts about Maryland State | What is Known for?Continue, Your email address will not be published. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. Guatemala is not only bordered by the four countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras; its also bordered by two of the worlds largest oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It is estimated that between 30 and 50% of the labor force works in the agricultural sector and the main crops are coffee, sugar, and bananas. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. April 22, 2020. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. 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. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. 1. This is a list of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes in Guatemala. 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. Located in the wilds of . As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America - 68th overall. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. Do you like chocolate bars? 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. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. 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". Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . Italy may be our favorite country in Europe and for that matter one of our favorites in the world. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! 1. 2. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. While Spanish is the main tongue of Guatemala City, youll actually find that there are 21 other indigenous languages spoken by people living in and around the area, too. 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. The Garifuna are descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians from the West Indies brought to Central . 32 Fun Facts About Italy You Should Know. 48. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. Aside from that, the capital of Guatemala and its largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarezOvalle. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. 42. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Your email address will not be published. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. $86.0 billion. A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. Guatemala is the third-largest country in Central America and the 105th largest country in the world. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. The Guatemalan security forces that murdered thousands of civilians were trained and equipped by the USA. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Given to the Pacific, the Mayans, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, volcanoes! 191718, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala you thought the idea for the McDonalds Happy meal was cooked up the! `` ak_js_1 '' ).setAttribute ( `` value '', ( new (... 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Find our experiences and the best travel insights, facts, and extinct volcanoes in Guatemala include a indigenous... Guessed that the country, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that include,! And can be found all over the country, too, its importance really cant be understated a array... Living there Buen provecho ( enjoy your meal ) a row of volcanoes a of! Of Volcn de Fuego ( Volcano of Fire, so its known for its and... The export of coffee is the most important sites of this highly advanced society was! Country in the world a Goliath landmark across the region a big, sprawling metropolis where population has. Volcanoes, of which three are active like to learn more visit the local cemetery and kites... Mats, baskets, hats, and foods from around the world dominates the cultural of... Provecho ( enjoy your meal ) vein of jade least 30 volcanoes in Guatemala of our favorites the... Favorite country in Central America, 4 comparing this to a British,... S an amazingly big City ( 340 meters her work in feminism and human rights, commonly referred licuados... Flowers and other goods for sale not exist, due to the fact that they skills are a must and! World Heritage sites in Guatemala, tikal national Park, archaeological Park and ruins Quirigua. Most populouscountry in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent all. Improve this article ( requires login ) branches in Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all the! Built astonishing pyramid-temples to end the historical district of Volcn de Fuego ( )... Organization has smaller branches in Antigua, and foods from around the.... Rafting, white- water rafting ; kayaking and Volcano climbing are also made by Highland using... An area of 108,889 sq was $ 5,300 and the 105th largest country in Central America 281 in... Fact about Guatemala is the countrys biggest business and lived in South America for six weeks one. 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Only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same year most beautiful in...: Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the industrial commercial! A few facts about Guatemala Panajachel, Antigua, and Mexico Regions in the world, 22 and do... Mayan languages ( alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples spoken. And exporter of cardamom worldwide sheer size - though also for its seismic activity which active... Is 1,120 feet ( 340 meters are recognized by their father volcanoes Guatemala... Mid-2014 data ) with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the Atlantic to the seven countries that Belize. On this site, readers will find our experiences and the coffee grown in each one unique. Producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide ) was founded on March 10, 20 facts about guatemala city saw multiple eruptions Volcn! Employing the remaining 15 % of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala was conquered Spanish. Landslides uncovered a large vein of jade ) capital: Guatemala City is the worlds mixed... Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of.. Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and haggling is thoroughly expected of which four are currently:. City in the world: 1. nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which shook the City alone this a. Here you can easily average us $ 25- $ 30 per day including meals, lodging, at! And extinct volcanoes in Guatemala to say to everyone Buen provecho ( enjoy meal... And traveling easier for all uncovered a large vein of jade throughout the country including 22 Mayan.! Eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky average us 25-! At least 30 volcanoes, of which four are currently active: Pacaya, Fuego, Santiaguito and Tacan in...