Facts about Guatemala. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Plus, in the heart of the dry season . DK: London), 8. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. 154. 03 Guatemala is a country in Central America. TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. 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. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. Most backpackers follow the same route. Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. 17,109,746. 36. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. One Country, Many Climates. Guatemala flag. 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. Instead of States or Provinces, Guatemala has Departments, 14. Visitors flock to this site to take glimpses of the red-hot lava. 37. 40. Guatemala is a fairly small country but Guatemala City boasts the largest population in Central America, with around three million people. Found in the Guatemala Highlands in the Sierra Madre mountain range is Lake Atitln. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. 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. 49. Inhabited 13,000 Years. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. (Source: Britannica), 10. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Guatemala is one of the safest countries in Central America. Guatemala is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, 12. 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 was founded in 1776 to replace Antigua Guatemala, which had been virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, as the capital of the captaincy general of Guatemala. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on August 11, 2022. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. It contains 14 eco-regions including mangroves, littorals, scrublands, dry forests, cloud forests, and subtropical and tropical rainforests. 00:59 - Source: CNN. There are threeUNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. . The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. The People. Hello, Im Diane Diegor. Some of the volcanoes are active. Before starting a meal, it is a custom in Guatemala to say to everyone Buen provecho (enjoy your meal). The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. Bananas and coffee are Guatemalas biggest exports. (Source: BBC News), 19. In fact, schools across the citys many zones are likely to close early if ash is descending purely a move of safety! 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. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. 22. 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. However, most of their great stone cities were abandoned by the year 900. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. In fact, it is known as the Green Gold of Guatemala.. 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. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. Chocolate can be found everywhere in the country including in shops and even in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet treat. Guatemala is home to the highest point in Central America, 21. 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. 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. Other points of interest include the remarkable concrete relief map of the country in Minerva Park, the archaeological and historical museums, the colonial aqueduct, the central market, and Olympic City, built for the Central American Olympic Games of 1950. 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. 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. 1. 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. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. The reason for the formation of the sinkhole is thought to be the weak material the city is built on - volcano . It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. Congratulation! Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). One day in Guatemala City. Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. (Source: National Geographic), 13. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. 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. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. The export of coffee is the countrys biggest business. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53F in January to 60-85F in April. Do Octopuses Have Bones? (2014). Italy may be our favorite country in Europe and for that matter one of our favorites in the world. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 14. 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. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. We currently track 281 animals in Guatemala and are adding more every day! 21. 4. To the Spanish ear, it sounded like Guatemala., Quauhteallan means land of trees or forested land.. With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. Along with the devastation it caused, the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of jade. Open now. Guatemala has two main seasons. We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. The west coast is on the Pacific Ocean. Facts about Guatemala. 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. 27. When Quezaltenango, which had become the capital of Guatemala in all but name, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1902, many of the leading families moved to Guatemala City. 02 Another name for the nation is Land of Eternal Spring. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . 1. 30 Interesting & Fun Facts about Maryland State | What is Known for? It is estimated that this war claimed 200,000 casualties, including genocide committed against the Maya population. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). Feeling hungry? As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. Known for its historical sites, natural beauty, and archaeological wonders, Guatemala receives around two million tourists a year. Guatemala has been designated a megadiverse country out of only 17 countries thatve received this honor. Guatemala City is the most populous city in Central America. Check out our language learning section. With its suburbs, Guatemala City holds more than 20% of the republic's population. 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. 18. 1. The national beer is called Gallo. . 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. View this post on Instagram. 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. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. In 1859, the modern-day boundary lines of Belize were drawn by the English who named it British Honduras. A red bracelet is put on the babys right hand to protect her from bad spirited people. 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. 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. Guatemala has the youngest population in Latin America, 19. 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