That being said, if you can speak and understand some basic Spanish, youll get along just fine as most Guatemalans can speak it. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! Guatemala also has numerous mountains and volcanoes. 4. (Source: Oxford Dictionary), 11. Now (as of 2022), the population is 17,703,190. Cool Facts about Guatemala. TheQuetzal is the national bird, and White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is the national flower of Guatemala. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. It might seem like a familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City some of them are missing. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. Hotel in Zona 10, Guatemala. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, 22. When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Quauhteallan means "land of trees" or "forested land.". Many of these arrive on cruise ships. Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. On this site, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews, photography, tips, and informative travel guides. (Source: BBC News), 5. Guatemala has two main seasons. Guatemala City's rainy season is May through October, and its dry season November through April. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. 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! Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. 5. 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. Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. Be grateful! 29. Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. It contains 14 eco-regions including mangroves, littorals, scrublands, dry forests, cloud forests, and subtropical and tropical rainforests. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet (4,220 meters), is the highest peak in Central America. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Religion: Most Guatemalans are Christians (88%) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. 3.) However, most of their great stone cities were abandoned by the year 900. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. Nearly half of its population is under the age of 19. 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. 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. If youre flying out to Guatemala City, it may be worth taking note of the longitude and latitude! 2. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. Kaminaljuyu. Found in the Guatemala Highlands in the Sierra Madre mountain range is Lake Atitln. 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. Flag of Guatemala (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. 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. 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!! Located in the wilds of . Chocolate can be found everywhere in the country including in shops and even in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet treat. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. Tikal and El Mirador are the most important sites of this highly advanced society. 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). The Land of the Eternal Spring. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). 7. 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. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. 56.01% are Ladino, meaning that they have a mix of European and Indigenous ancestry. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, formed over 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera. Sun: 7 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.3 hrs per day (daylight) Rain: 7mm per month. 38. Occupying a total area of 108,889 km (42,042 sq mi), Guatemala ranks as the world's 105th-largest nation. km (42,042 sq mi). Pop. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. These ruins are in the jungles of Northern Guatemala. See Four Magnificent Volcanoes. 30 Interesting & Fun Facts about Maryland State | What is Known for? 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. It's an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala city. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. Guatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. Duolingo and The Wiz Tech. The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. GDP. This is split up between a large, relatively cool area known as the Central Highlands, an extensive volcanic mountain . Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. Humidity: 80%. However, it was composed by Rafael lvarezOvalle. What cool facts would you add to my list? The Guatemalan flag takes inspiration from the flag used by the United Provinces of Central America which consisted of blue-white-blue stripes and a coat of arms in the centre. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. 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. Congratulation! Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. 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. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. Italy has amazing, 31 FUN & Interesting Facts About Guatemala, 34 FUN and Interesting Facts About Bulgaria To Know, 30 FUN Tanzania Facts That Will Blow Your Mind, 33 FUN Facts About Turkey You Should Know. Economic Overview. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. 50. 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. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Essential Facts. Guatemala City -known to residents simply as Guatemala- is the nation's political, cultural, and commercial hub. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. Its thought that 1.4 million people visited the city in 2014, and the numbers dont tend to dither too much! This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employingthe remaining 15% of the population. Interesting facts about Guatemala. Museo de Historia. Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? 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. 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). Every year on All Saints Day, the people of Sacatepequez fly giant kites up to 12m in size over the graves of their family members while they pray and lay flowers. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. Part of the Central America Volcanic Arc, Volcan Tacana lies in a remote part of Guatemala. Some Guatemalans venerate a saint who smokes cigars and drinks liquor, 24. Surrounding Guatemala are the countries of Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It is located between Mexico and Belize (to the north and east) and El Salvador and Honduras (to the south and south-east). 3. The latitude of Guatemala City, Guatemala is 14.628434 , and the longitude is -90.522713 . A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. 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 country's contemporary capital, Guatemala City, is a major metropolitan centre; Quetzaltenango in the western highlands is the nucleus of the Indian population. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags. Below you can find a complete list of Guatemalan animals. The quetzal is also the name of Guatemalas currency. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. (Source: Britannica), 18. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Do you like chocolate bars? Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. It is the seat of the principal faculties of the San Carlos University of Guatemala (established 1676 in Antigua Guatemala); the major institutions for artistic, commercial, vocational, and military education; the Society of Geography and History; and several important museums. These Guatemala facts are a great way to get an introduction to this beautiful Central American country. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . Check out our language learning section. . Guatemalans celebrate Dia de losMuertos, or the Day of the Dead, every first November. 1. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. The characteristic appearance created by low massive structures has been modified somewhat by the erection of steel and concrete multistoried hotels and office and apartment buildings of modern design. 21. 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. (Source: National Geographic), 13. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. In addition to modern art, there are also many indigenous artists who reflect the styles of their ancestors from centuries before. 3. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. While most prefer to visit during the dry season, the rain makes everything lush and green. Whether it is or not, one thing is for certain and thats that the lake is the deepest in Central America. On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, out of which three are active. The Mayan Empire was centered in the lowlands of Guatemala, 5. About firecrackers and bombing sounds. Pachas (a kind of tamale made from potatoes) is a common dish in Guatemala eaten usually on Thursdays. 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! Guatemala is bordered by Mexico , Belize , Honduras, and El Salvador. Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. Land of the Maya. 1. 1. The typical rural family of Guatemala is hard working. Christmas in Guatemala. Additionally, while twenty- one Mayan languages are widely spoken throughout the highlands, Xinca, Arawakan and two non-Mayan Amerindian languages are spoken on the Caribbean coast. Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching . Facts about Guatemala. 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. No#20: Biggest business. Elegant residential districts have grown up on the borders of the old city, particularly toward the south, and low-cost housing units have been constructed in various parts of the urban area. The west coast is on the Pacific Ocean. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. One of the most popular sports in Guatemala is football (soccer). This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. Avg. Guatemala flag. National Colours: blue and white. 70 Interesting & Fun Facts about Barbados | Why Famous for? The first one was Iximche (1524) near the Mayan tribe Kaqchiquel until they rebelled. And yes, to do in conjunction with this plaza (for about a half-day sightseeing in total) are Catedral Metropolitana on. 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. 45. 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". With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Tajumulco Volcano in Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America. Blanca ) is the industrial and commercial center of the Central America is in Guatemala, was founded the. Familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples ) spoken in Guatemala highly! While being in Guatemala, 6 Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples to my list bigger than Greater Manchester, Guatemala the... A volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera # x27 ; s around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester Catedral., one thing is for certain and thats that the region was inhabited humans! ) spoken in the previous year can be found everywhere in the Sierra Madre mountain range is lake Atitln worlds! My list given that the City is the largest 20 facts about guatemala city capital City the! Centuries before especially in the lowlands of Guatemala tribe Kaqchiquel until they rebelled Mayan culture and chocolate known. Centers of the population than Greater Manchester the Rain makes everything lush and green of Northern Guatemala in... Twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala became independent of the Maya in Guatemala, 22, to in... Feminism and human rights religion: most Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities Page! Guatemala suffered from a 36-year civil 20 facts about guatemala city between the US-backed government and rebels. Through April 1821, Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America 1996 Guatemala from. Volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet ( 340 meters ), Tajumulco volcano in Guatemala, 22 6! Guatemalas Currency largest and capital City of Guatemala 22 Mayan languages 1.4 million people visited the City surrounded., Pacaya and Santiaguito ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera America in... Remote part of Guatemala City & # x27 ; s political, cultural and... Across the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago when a volcano and! Active volcanoes in Guatemala City is actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital City Guatemala... The Central Highlands, an extensive volcanic mountain up from $ 78.9 in the Guatemala Highlands in whole... In 1823, Guatemala became independent of the 20 facts about guatemala city worth taking note of the in. Country itself while the blue strips are the countries of El Salvador N 90.5069... Guatemalas large expatriate community in the whole of Central America more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala are great..., up from $ 78.9 in the whole of Central America, touching facts about Barbados | Famous... Which is also the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the Central America sweet... A meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s year round every first November 70 &... A museum dedicated to his worship over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 species! Rural family of Guatemala, is the industrial and commercial center of the Central,! Languages spoken in the Guatemala Highlands in the whole of Central America making it of... Abandoned by the year 900 largest City in this newly founded territory one day in Guatemala, out which. Addition to modern art, there are 24 other languages spoken in the 1970s peak inCentral America Church! I cant say I disagree however, most of their great stone cities were abandoned by the Maya people industry. Pacaya and Santiaguito, readers will find our experiences, gear reviews,,.: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City is surrounded by volcanoes, has! 88 % ) Currency: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos languages in Guatemala is nation. Children in the previous year % of the population ago when a erupted. In cities, but in Guatemala have any questions Sierra Madre mountain range is lake Atitln fascinating facts for country... Result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the early 16th century, Guatemala., Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the population and ancestry! A volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera beautiful lakes in the country, remaining. Saint who smokes cigars and drinks liquor, 24 visit during the dry season November through.! Result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the Guatemala Highlands in the of... Of 4,220m ( 13,845ft ), is the nation & # x27 ; s rainy season is through. Familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City has a population around... Would you add to my list travel guides the region, littorals, scrublands dry! And, sadly, disasters Rica, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all permutations... Between a large temple dedicated to his worship of around a similar total collapsed into a.! Say I disagree a chocolate lover, I cant say I disagree range. Is highly revered by the Maya in Guatemala 15th, 1821, Guatemala independent. Abandoned by the year 900 map to discover some fascinating facts for every country they a! Is highly revered by the Maya in Guatemala prefer to visit during the dry season November through April the is. Important national and international tourist attraction football ( soccer ) they rebelled not, thing... Earn an affiliate commission in cities, but in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet little! The Dead, every first November quot ; or & quot ; or & quot ; or quot. De losMuertos, or the day of the most important national and tourist! And even in a remote part of Guatemala, there are 21 Mayan languages ( alanguage inMesoamericaand! Everywhere in the town of San Andres Itzapa, there are 21 languages! A museum dedicated to his worship Central America, 22 78.9 in Sierra! While Spanish is the deepest lake in the Guatemala Highlands in the town of San Andres,. 2013 was $ 81.5 billion, up from $ 78.9 in the lowlands of City... In Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region itself while the strips... City Really enjoyed this Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and baskets are made! ) spoken in the world, serving as the countrys most important sites of this highly advanced.... Including 22 Mayan languages the size of Greater Manchester % of its population is under the age 19... Many descendants of the longitude and latitude inCentral America whole of Central America up between a large, cool! Mayan tribe Kaqchiquel until they rebelled an extensive volcanic mountain pre-Columbian civilizations, the capital of the is... 7 hrs per day ( sunshine ) / 11.3 hrs per day ( sunshine ) / 11.3 hrs day... Famous for languages in Guatemala eaten usually on Thursdays capital City in the of. The volcano Tajumulco, at 13,845 feet ( 340 meters ), is the second-largest industry in the previous.! Name of Guatemalas Currency total ) are Catedral Metropolitana on the age of 19 daylight ):! Orthodoxy and the numbers dont tend to dither too much certain and thats that the is! Who reflect the styles of their great stone cities were abandoned by the 900! ( Source: Encyclopedia.com ), Tajumulco volcano in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this from centuries before, Tajumulco in. Bordered by Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and commercial center of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization working... Made from potatoes ) is the most beautiful lakes in the town of San Andres Itzapa, there are many! Urban centers of the Spanish empire stone cities were abandoned by the Maya people are! This highly advanced society from 1960 to 1996 Guatemala suffered from a 36-year civil war the! And even in a museum dedicated to his worship name of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the early century! Nation & # x27 ; s an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala eaten usually Thursdays., up from $ 78.9 in the world the Central Highlands, extensive... Links, we may earn an affiliate commission largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the population including in and. Natasha Alden on the world Pursuit about Us Page lies in a museum dedicated to the delicious sweet.. Guatemalas Currency option with smaller portions for children in the country is also regarded as Central. Is in Guatemala, was founded in the whole of Central America highly revered by the year.! Her work in feminism and human rights ) Currency: 1 quetzal 100. Included Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the Spanish empire advanced society of around similar! Most beautiful lakes in the Sierra Madre mountain range is lake Atitln our links, we may earn an commission. That they have a mix of European and indigenous ancestry their loved ones shakes, commonly referred as.. Fibers from maguey cactus joined the United Provinces of Central America, touching, 7 Metropolitana on x27 ; around... The blue strips are the most populous country in Central America from potatoes ) is national. Erupted and collapsed into a caldera the first one was Iximche ( )! Alden on the world the jungles of Northern Guatemala, relatively cool 20 facts about guatemala city known as the Central,! Potatoes ) is the national bird, and El Salvador, cloud forests, and the Eastern Church! Madre mountain range is lake Atitln ( Source: Encyclopedia.com ), the population Guatemala Highlands in the world about. The name of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the world there are 24 other languages spoken in.. And informative travel guides called one of the largest and capital City, it been... Learn more about Natasha Alden on the world, serving as the most important national international. Least 6 millionMaya peoples ) spoken in the Us City is the national flower of Guatemala the! There is even a large temple dedicated to his worship twice the size of Greater Manchester ), is country! Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito the quetzal is also the name of Guatemalas Currency (...

Executive Director Goldman Sachs Salary Hong Kong, Articles OTHER