The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. (2014). After the fall of the Spanish Empire, Guatemala assumed the claim of Belize. We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. 29. 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. Occupying a total area of 108,889 km (42,042 sq mi), Guatemala ranks as the world's 105th-largest nation. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. (2014). 1. Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . Essential Facts. 9. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. 5. The population of Guatemala was 17,263,239 based on 2018 estimates. 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. Share them in the comments below! Country Description. Straddling Guatemala's border with Mexico, Volcan Tacana towers above its surroundings, dwarfing everything with its colossal 4,060-metre summit. People living in Guatemala are called Guatemalan. Standing at 11,598 feet . Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. People also paint the gravestones of their relatives with bright colors. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. 1. The primary language of Guatemala is Spanish. If youre flying out to Guatemala City, it may be worth taking note of the longitude and latitude! Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. Guatemala is a land of extraordinary landscapes and a sense of the exotic, and you will also find a profound sense of hospitality among the people, who will invite you to discover all aspects of their country . Facts about Guatemala. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. 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! It is believed that Guatemala invented the first chocolate bar and its one of its biggest exports so we can thank the country for getting it out to the rest of us. Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. Key Facts. The lake covers 48 square miles and is believed to be 900 feet . She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. (Source: CNN), 24. 36. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. Additionally, the contrast between the poor Mayan villagers living in the rural highlands and the modern and wealthy mestizos population (known as ladinos in Guatemala) living in surrounding agricultural plains and cities is what defines the culture of Guatemala. Guatemala also has numerous mountains and volcanoes. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. The land is diverse too with mountains, sandy beaches, lush rainforests and dense jungles. The food is excellent. More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. The cacao tree is highly revered by the Maya people and in Mayan culture and chocolate is known as the food of the gods. As a chocolate lover, I cant say I disagree! Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. That's the county, not the city alone! 9. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. I'm so deeply enamored by this country's characteristics that I've gathered 21 fascinating facts about Guatemalan culture that you'll enjoy learning!! She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. Heres how to order food in Spanish. To date, two people from Guatemala have won the Nobel Prize. By myom624. Quauhteallan means "land of trees" or "forested land.". When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. It's an amazingly big city. The national beer of Guatemala is Gallo. Check out our language learning section. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. 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 is surprisingly large. 56.01% are Ladino, meaning that they have a mix of European and Indigenous ancestry. All of these risk factors make potential growth rates of diabetes a concern. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Among the major religious structures are the cathedral (1815) and the churches of San Francisco, Santo Domingo (famous throughout Central America for its Holy Week procession), and La Merced (colonial but rebuilt after 1917). Storyteller.travel shares the best travel insights, facts, and photos. Im a travel and nature enthusiast. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. Guatemala is the third-largest country in Central America and the 105th largest country in the world. Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. DK: London. No#11: Famous things. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Pacaya regularly spits out clouds of rock and ash. Tours. Required fields are marked *. 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. Guatemala is part of this area. Belize officially became independent in 1981, but Guatemala did not acknowledge this until September 1991. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. The civil war in Guatemala was fought between November 13, 1960, and December 29, 1996. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). 37. 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. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. Home / Central America / Fun Facts about Guatemala City. We love getting to off-the-beaten-path destinations and arent afraid to go it alone. Going out in pairs, or groups will help cut any risks. Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . 3. Open now. It is called the land of eternal spring. Guatemala became independent in 1821. Travel from the bazaars of Istanbul to the beautiful beaches of Antalya. It also caused the death of a man. Kaminaljuyu. 1. 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. Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. Plaza de la Constitucin. 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. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. Pop. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. 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. (Source: The Guardian), 17. Interesting Facts. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. (Source: The Nobel Prize), 12. Similarly, speaking loudly in public is looked down upon. 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. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. 01 The origin of the name 'Guatemala' is 'Quahtlemallan' which means 'place of many trees'. 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. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. The major cash crops in Guatemala include coffee, bananas, sugar, cotton hemp, and cacao. Humidity: 80%. Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, 4. It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. In the 1600s and 1700s, a number of treaties were signed between Britain and Spain saying that Belize fell under Spanish sovereignty, but could be used by the English. In addition, every village celebrates the day of their Patron Saint, where cultural activities such as a presentation of crafts, processions and folkloric dances take place. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. Guatemala is bordered by Mexico , Belize , Honduras, and El Salvador. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. In Guatemala, the gems are also used for ritualistic purposes. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. People from all over the, Turkey is a large country literally on the diving line between Europe and Asia (but more on that later). Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala City? The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Points of Interest & Landmarks Parks. Tikal was one of the major metropolises of the Mayan civilization and one of the biggest in the world. 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. Budget Hotel. 46. With its suburbs, Guatemala City holds more than 20% of the republic's population. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! 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. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! Guatemala for Kids. 108,889 SQ.KM. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. Do you like chocolate bars? Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America - 68th overall. 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. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. 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! However, it was composed by Rafael lvarez Ovalle. View Trip. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. 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. The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Guatemala was initially absorbed into the Mexican empire following independence from Spain. Duolingo and The Wiz Tech. You complete. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. It was sacred to the ancient Mayan and Aztec people and that is one of the reasons why the colorful Quetzal was chosen as the countrys national bird. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. The Home of the Happy Meal. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. 51. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. It might seem like a familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City some of them are missing. Photo credit. Do you like chocolate bars? Economic Overview. And Guatemala City some of them are missing similar total facts, and photos with million... 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