Many of these arrive on cruise ships. 10. Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. There are threeUNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarez Ovalle. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. A great contrast can be seen between the cultures of the poverty-stricken Mayan rural residents of the country who live in the highland region and the relatively wealthy mestizos (called Ladinos in Guatemala) living in the urban areas. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. With average temperatures of 23C / 73.4F in December, Guatemala makes for a great escape from the harsh winters of the Northern hemisphere. Guatemala City, or Guate to the locals, isn't what you'd call a pretty city. 1. 9. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Meraki Boutique Hotel. 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. Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. In 1998 hurricane Mitch hit Guatemala. 02 Another name for the nation is Land of Eternal Spring. Officially called the Republic of Guatemala, is the 67th most populous country. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. 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. It is the country that has become synonymouswith the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. 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! There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. Families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 56. (Source: OEC), 25. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. People from all over the, Turkey is a large country literally on the diving line between Europe and Asia (but more on that later). Aside from that, the capital of Guatemala and its largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin. Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? The small Central American country of Guatemala spans the narrow strip of land between North and South America, touching both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. What cool facts would you add to my list? Changing climate is also its top topic. At this time, their territory extended from Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. 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. 20. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. A set of roasted corns is one of the typical street foods in Guatemala, eaten with salt and lemon. The 2010 sinkhole (Associated Press, via horslips5/Flickr) The fact more people were not consumed was miraculous for the size of the hole, but a bigger disaster was already forming beneath the . 48. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. Guatemala is best known as the birthplace of the Mayan civilisation and many of its ancient traditions are present across the country. All Rights Reserved. During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. Guatemala is home to the beautiful scarlet macaw and venomous Bothrops asper. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. 1. Maximn, also known as San Simn, is described as an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints, and conquistador legends.. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53F in January to 60-85F in April. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. Tikal is one of world's great ancient wonders. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. Quauhteallan means "land of trees" or "forested land.". Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. 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. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. 3. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. Guatemala is bordered by Mexico , Belize , Honduras, and El Salvador. Guatemala became independent in 1821. The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. The indigenous Mayans and those of mixed or non-indigenous heritage, known as mestizos. 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". Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. (Source: BBC News), 19. As observed on the physical map of Guatemala, the country is largely mountainous with rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. 03 Guatemala is a country in Central America. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. 2. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. 21. Posted on Last updated: September 9, 2022. 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 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. Thats the county, not the city alone! 1. Going out in pairs, or groups will help cut any risks. Other countries that became independent duringthe same year includeEl Salvador,Honduras,Nicaragua, andCosta Rica. 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Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? Guatemala also has numerous mountains and volcanoes. With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Tajumulco Volcano in Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America. Tikal, or Yax Mutal, was an important city in the empire of the Maya from 200 to 900 A.D. A great place to see a concentration of Mayan Ruins is in the Petn lowlands. Beautiful Volcn Atitln is the tallest of the three impressive volcanoes on spectacular Lake Atitln, one of the most beautiful lakes in Central America. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Climate. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. 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Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! The Maya believed that jade had a spiritual significance. With a rich history and culture, there are plenty of fun facts about Guatemala to learn.