The indigenous Mayans and those of mixed or non-indigenous heritage, known as mestizos. Standing at 11,598 feet . Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. Spanish and around 20 different Mayan languages. Guatemala is a developing country characterized by wide income disparities. Guatemala City, Spanish Guatemala or in full Ciudad de Guatemala, capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America, and the political, social, cultural, and economic centre of Guatemala. 26. DK: London. Plus, in the heart of the dry season . 22. This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. 1. $9,769. . 40. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. 14. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. It covers an area of 108,889 sq km. 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. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. 37. DK: London), 8. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. View Trip. 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. There is even an entire festival dedicated to flying kites specifically to honor the dead. Were Bryan & Dena welcome to our site. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. Atitln. Its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, also known asGuatemala City. Kings were buried in masks made of jade with the thought that it would accelerate their travel to the afterlife. It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. 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. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. Some Guatemalans venerate a saint who smokes cigars and drinks liquor, 24. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. Clothes: the Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? 56.01% are Ladino, meaning that they have a mix of European and Indigenous ancestry. (Source: Britannica), 4. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Pacaya regularly spits out clouds of rock and ash. Old American school buses are often refurbished with chrome and an elaborate custom paint job and repurposed as intercity buses in Guatemala. 1. 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. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. Learn more about other Spanish-speaking countries. To the Spanish ear, it sounded like Guatemala., Quauhteallan means land of trees or forested land.. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. The Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were . For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. Guatemala is situated on the Ring of Fire, so its known for its seismic activity which includes active volcanoes. 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 country's national bird. Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. 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. Guatemala City, Spanish Guatemala or in full Ciudad de Guatemala, capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America, and the political, social, cultural, and economic centre of Guatemala. Dining Etiquettes: when invited to a Guatemala household for dinner, carry a small gift item (avoid food items) for the family. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. (Source: OEC), 25. Dressing in layers is a must here! Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. The Quetzal is the national bird & White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is thenational flower of Guatemala. Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . 23. In the space of under three centuries the city, which was . In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. Guatemala knew 36 years of civil war. It was also used as a symbol of status and wealth. Cuisine: Guatemala cuisine is primarily based on Mayan and Spanish cuisine and prominently includes beans, corn, and chilies as key ingredients in their food recipes. 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. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. Guatemala for Kids. We often hear about the ancient Mayans and their achievements and downfall but did you know that about half of Guatemalas population is indigenous and descended from the Maya people? Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. 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! 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. Do you like chocolate bars? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That's the county, not the city alone! Guatemala is the worlds largest exporter of cardamom, 15. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. 28. Share them in the comments below! Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. From 1960 to 1996 Guatemala suffered from a 36-year civil war between the US-backed government and leftist rebels supported mainly by indigenous people. 31. Imagine these ancient ruins set against the lush jungle canopy and youll understand why they call this site mixed and why its one of the most visited places in the country. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. Many of these arrive on cruise ships. 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. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. 8. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America 68th overall. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! The country has a long and rich history, and with that, Looking for a few fun facts about Italy? 6. April 22, 2020. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. Guatemalas national beer is called Gallo and although some people love it, others arent so fond of it. 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. On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Ten fun facts about Guatemala. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53F in January to 60-85F in April. Home / Central America / Fun Facts about Guatemala City. 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . 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 . The beauty of the lake was praised by two prominent people in history: one being the German explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, and the other being Aldous Huxley. In addition to the government offices and services concentrated there, Guatemala City handles nearly half of the capital invested in the country and accounts for more than half of the industrial establishments and production of the republic. 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. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. (Source: World Bank), 22. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Located in Guatemala, 1.2 miles from Popol Vuh Museum, Meraki Boutique Hotel provides accommodations with a garden, free private parking, a terrace and a restaurant. Officially called the Republic of Guatemala, is the 67th most populous country. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to . Meraki Boutique Hotel. The west coast is on the Pacific Ocean. In 1900 the population of Guatemala was 885,000. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. 4. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. 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. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. Guatemala is part of the ring of fire, 20. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. On a trip to the country, a traveler learns about the strong cultural heritage of Guatemalans which blends indigenous European, Mayan and Caribbean influences. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . It measures approximately 250 miles. Official name:Republic of GuatemalaCapital city:Guatemala CityPopulation:17,153,288Area:108,889 sq kmMajor languages:Spanish, Maya languagesTime zone:UTC-6 (Central Time Zone)(Source:CIA World Fact Book). Interesting facts about Guatemala. Antigua Guatemala History Facts. Fast Facts | Important Information of Guatemala, 70 Fun Facts about Summer things that Only Happen in the Summer, 28 Fun Facts about Broccoli to let You Know, 27 Unique Interesting Facts about the Deciduous Forest, 60+ Fun Facts about Ladybugs That will Surprise You, 31 Unique Fun Facts about Iguanas that Pleasure to YOU, 42 Fun Facts about Blueberries that You Should Known, 72 Interesting Facts about lynx that Make You Known Unique. A red bracelet is put on the babys right hand to protect her from bad spirited people. These are called Chicken Buses and youll see them all over Guatemala. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). 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. 28. 49. The ones in Panajachel, Antigua, and Guatemala City are all impressive as well. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Suchitan, Ixtepeque, Acatenango, Atitlan, Moyuta, Agua, Cerro Santiago, Tajumulco, Chingo, Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Cuilapa-Barbarena, Flores, Fuego, Ipala Volc Field, Santa Maria, Almolonga, Santo Tomas, Tahual, Pacaya, Tecuamburro and Toliman are the names of some of the volcanoes from the region. At this time, their territory extended from Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. With a total of 42,042 square miles (108,889 square kilometers), Guatemala is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania, but the largest country in Central America. There are threeUNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. Here you can pick up souvenirs and see the huge piles of produce, flowers and other goods for sale. (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. That's the county, not the city alone! We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. It has an area of 108,889 sq km. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. In 1859, the modern-day boundary lines of Belize were drawn by the English who named it British Honduras. Belize officially became independent in 1981, but Guatemala did not acknowledge this until September 1991. On the east coast, you will find the Caribbean Sea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. . More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Family life: families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. 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. 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