A Rich Multilingual Country. It is also the third-largest country in Central America behind Nicaragua and Honduras. (Source: Britannica), 18. Updates? Guatemala flag. The primary language of Guatemala is Spanish. Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . Crafts and Hobbies: the intricate designs and brilliant colors used in raw cloth, as well as finished garments, make Guatemalas hand-spun and woven textiles one of the finest in the world. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. 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. If youre planning to travel to Bulgaria, there are some important, For many, Tanzania may be the most well-known country in Africa. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. A great place to see a concentration of Mayan Ruins is in the Petn lowlands. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. The square, located in Ciudad de Guatemala's Zone 1, is the very heart of the historical district. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). Flag. 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. Before the turtles hatch and are released, their eggs are protected in nesting areas that are set up just for them. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. It is also known as Guatemala City. Guatemala City is home to 23 public markets selling produce from across the country. 1931 - Jorge Ubico becomes president; his tenure . Required fields are marked *. Open now. 1. 24. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. 46. 41. 3. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. This article may contain affiliate links. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. Your email address will not be published. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. Country Description. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. 51. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. It measures approximately 250 miles. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. 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. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. The Guatemalan security forces that murdered thousands of civilians were trained and equipped by the USA. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. Avg. With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. 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. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. People from all over the, Turkey is a large country literally on the diving line between Europe and Asia (but more on that later). Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Along the Pacific in the south is a fertile coastal plain. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. In 1900 the population of Guatemala was 885,000. With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Tajumulco Volcano in Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America. The country's contemporary capital, Guatemala City, is a major metropolitan centre; Quetzaltenango in the western highlands is the nucleus of the Indian population. Do you like chocolate bars? 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. It contains 14 eco-regions including mangroves, littorals, scrublands, dry forests, cloud forests, and subtropical and tropical rainforests. Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15th, 1821 and that important event is celebrated every year on that date with the largest celebrations taking place in the vibrant city of Quetzaltenango. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. 36. 2. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. 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! 3. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. Thats the county, not the city alone! The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. (2014). Were Bryan & Dena welcome to our site. 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. GDP Per Capita, PPP. Tours. Plaza de la Constitucin. 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! Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. . Some are up to 30 years old. April 22, 2020. Straddling Guatemala's border with Mexico, Volcan Tacana towers above its surroundings, dwarfing everything with its colossal 4,060-metre summit. The food is excellent. Atitln. It has four bordering countries that include Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. 11. 9. (Source: CNN), 24. Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. The national beer is called Gallo. 1. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. 37. A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on June 3, 2022. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. 30. It is called the land of eternal spring. Now here going to know about guatemala food facts. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. That site is Tikal National Park and in this park youll find pristine jungle terrain and fascinating Mayan ruins. On a trip to the country, a traveler learns about the strong cultural heritage of Guatemalans which blends indigenous European, Mayan and Caribbean influences. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. 29. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. 35. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. The major cash crops in Guatemala include coffee, bananas, sugar, cotton hemp, and cacao. Guatemala is well-known for its awe-inspiring treasures. The national beer of Guatemala is Gallo. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. 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. These are called Chicken Buses and youll see them all over Guatemala. Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. The lake is the deepest lake in Central America and is believed to be 900 feet (300 meters) deep and covers 48 square miles (125 square kilometers). Spanish and around 20 different Mayan languages. Traditional Dance: Guatemala is famous for its traditional dances. It is located between Mexico and Belize (to the north and east) and El Salvador and Honduras (to the south and south-east). By the end of civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. The latitude of Guatemala City, Guatemala is 14.628434 , and the longitude is -90.522713 . Beyond the typical excursions to explore archeological ruins and colonial cities, Guatemala has a myriad array of tours on offer. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Guatemala-City, Guatemala City - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Guatemala City - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Area. In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! 1. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. Guatemala has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. The quetzal is also the name of Guatemalas currency. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. 27. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. At this time, their territory extended from Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. In fact, its around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Tikal was one of the major metropolises of the Mayan civilization and one of the biggest in the world. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. Guatemala Area and Population Density. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. 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. (Source: Lonely Planet, Britannica), 15. 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!! Incredible temples, an intricate writing system, a sophisticated calendar and many achievements in math, science and astronomy are just some of the things the Maya are known for. Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. (Source: World Bank), 22. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. 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 is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. Hello, Im Diane Diegor. In fact, schools across the citys many zones are likely to close early if ash is descending purely a move of safety! The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, formed over 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera. 00:59 - Source: CNN. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. 02 Another name for the nation is Land of Eternal Spring. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. Located just 25 miles south of the city, the Pacaya Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America, having erupted over 25 times since 1965. Volcn Tajumulco stands tall at 13,850 feet (4,220 meters), making it the highest peak in all of Central America. More than 1,000,000 were forced to leave their home. Along with the devastation it caused, the flooding and landslides uncovered a large vein of jade. That's the county, not the city alone! (Source: BBC News), 5. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. Guatemala for Kids. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. 21. The lake covers 48 square miles and is believed to be 900 feet . 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 City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. Some deposits were described as bus-sized boulders. 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. The Garifuna are descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians from the West Indies brought to Central . 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. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! 56. Bananas and coffee are Guatemalas biggest exports. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! Guatemala is bordered by four countries and two oceans, 9. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. Sports: one of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). 12. But remnants of other ancient sites have been unearthed and can be found all over the country. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. With a rich history and culture, there are plenty of fun facts about Guatemala to learn. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. 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. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! 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