In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. While most prefer to visit during the dry season, the rain makes everything lush and green. 2.) 27. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. 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. Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. It is sided by important buildings and parks, such as the "Palacio Nacional de la Cultura" (the former presidential palace), the "Catedral Metropolitana", the "Biblioteca Nacional de Guatemala", the "Portal del Comrcio" and the "Parque Centenrio". Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? Guatemalan clothing facts: The Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Land of the Eternal Spring. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. All Saints Day Kite Festival, which takes place every November 1st, is a popular event in the country and kite-flying in honor of the dead has been part of local culture for over 3,000 years. The picturesque town of Antigua, the ancient Maya city of Quirigua and Tikal National Park all have something very important in common; they are the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Guatemala. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. 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. 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. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. Here are 9 Spanish phrases to know when you arrive at the airport. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. 34. (2002) 942,348. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. 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. 24. Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. (2014). As observed on the physical map of Guatemala, the country is largely mountainous with rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valleys, and numerous volcanoes. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. 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. Be grateful! Interesting facts about Guatemala. More than 1,000,000 were forced to leave their home. So lets know What is Guatemala Famous for & Interesting Facts About Guatemala City. Now here going to know about guatemala food facts. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! If you thought the idea for the McDonalds Happy Meal was cooked up in the United States, think again! Ethnicity, Language, And Religion In Guatemala. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This page was last modified on June 3, 2022. Several villages were evacuated when the nearby Pacaya volcano erupted in 2000. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. That's the county, not the city alone! Guatemalas national bird is the quetzal. 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. 2. Interesting Facts. Located in the wilds of . 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 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. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. GDP. 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. Home Facts 31 FUN & Interesting Facts 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. Other countries that became independent duringthe same year includeEl Salvador,Honduras,Nicaragua, andCosta Rica. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. Fortunately, bottled water is available everywhere and most hotels offer filtered water at no extra cost. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! Guatemalas national beer is called Gallo and although some people love it, others arent so fond of it. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. (Source: Britannica), 18. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. About tuc tucs, collectivoes and chicken buses. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. Here are 12 surprising things about Tikal: 1.) Hilachas. The Garifuna are descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians from the West Indies brought to Central . The capital city of Guatemala is Guatemala City. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. Your email address will not be published. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. 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). 3. Its fairly cheap to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the traditional cuisine is easy and a must when traveling around the country! 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for? Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. 13. 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. Spanish and around 20 different Mayan languages. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. Surrounded by pristine natural beauty and bordered by three towering volcanoes and several vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, no doubt, a beautiful place and one that you should visit if you happen to be in Guatemala. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. National Colours: blue and white. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. 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). In Guatemala, turtle conservation is taken seriously and visitors to the country have the chance to help release sea turtles into the ocean at Tortugario Monterrico. She loves to be outside, hiking in the mountains, playing in the snow on her snowboard, and biking. Heres my collection of 24 things to know about the diverse country of Guatemala. One interesting fact about Guatemala is that Blue denim comes from the country! 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! Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. The exquisite taste and quality of Guatemalan coffee can be attributed to the regions microclimates, unique cultivation methods and altitude among other factors. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. (Source: BBC News), 19. 45. 1. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. Hilacha is one of the famous traditional Guatemalan dishes. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, also known asGuatemala City. By myom624. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. The west coast is on the Pacific Ocean. 26. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Do you like chocolate bars? One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. 9. Is Guatemala on your list of places to visit? 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. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Museo de Historia. This article may contain affiliate links. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. Considered the food of the gods by the Mayans, the chocolate-making tradition originated in the Maya world, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala. 154. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. Guatemala is thought to be one of the first places to invent chocolate. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. 43. 27. 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. The unique flavors and textures of traditional dishes come from a variety of spices mixed with vegetables, meats, dry chillies and tropical fruit. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. And an average of 101 murders per week were reported in 2016. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. 2. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. Her advice about international travel, outdoor sports, and African safari has been featured on Lonely Planet, Business Insider, and Readers Digest. 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. Similarly, before getting from the table after having the meal, you must say Con permiso, ya vengo(with your permission, Ill be right back). A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. 20 8189 7000. 1931 - Jorge Ubico becomes president; his tenure . The country's paper currency includes a 50 centavos bill, plus bills worth 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 Quetzals. In fact, it's around 267 square miles, or 692 square km, end to end. While men work in the fields, women raise their children and weave beautiful textiles with motifs that are unique to each community. A post shared by ETHNY CORNER (@ethny_corner) 4. The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. These are called Chicken Buses and youll see them all over Guatemala. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and thats that the lake is the deepest in Central America. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. If you are interested in seeing the lava flow, you may want to visit the Pacaya volcano. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. But remnants of other ancient sites have been unearthed and can be found all over the country. 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. Ozone is a gas which is available both in the Earths upper atmosphere (stratosphere) and at ground level (troposphere). Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America 68th overall. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. The ones in Panajachel, Antigua, and Guatemala City are all impressive as well. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. Share them in the comments below! In fact, few cities hold a measure to it in the region! The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. If youre flying out to Guatemala City, it may be worth taking note of the longitude and latitude! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. 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. It is the focus of highway, rail, and air transport and is the commercial and banking centre of the country. 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. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! 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. 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. The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet (4,220 meters), is the highest peak in Central America. The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 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