While Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 other languages spoken in the country including 22 Mayan languages. That's the county, not the city alone! (Source: The Nobel Prize), 12. 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. The deepest lake in Central America is in Guatemala, formed over 84,000 years ago when a volcano erupted and collapsed into a caldera. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. 18. Avg. Guatemala is a fairly small country but Guatemala City boasts the largest population in Central America, with around three million people. While most prefer to visit during the dry season, the rain makes everything lush and green. 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. I love learning about other cultures and tasting their food. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. Guatemala City is home to both the Museo Nacional de Arte Moderno (National Museam of Modern Art) and the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plsticas Rafael Rodrguez Padilla (Guatemalas leading art school). 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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). Between 1523 and 1524, Spanish explorer Pedro de Alvarado defeated the indigenous Maya and turned Guatemala into a Spanish colony. Guatemalan cuisine is a delicious blend of many cultures including Mayan and Spanish. Instead of States or Provinces, Guatemala has Departments, 14. Its border also touches Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, and Honduras.Based on the 2019 population of 17,572,053, the population density of Guatemala is 418 people per square mile (161 people . The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Guatemala was initially absorbed into the Mexican empire following independence from Spain. Flag of Guatemala On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala became independent of the Spanish empire. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. 37. All Rights Reserved. 32 Fun Facts About Italy You Should Know. However, Spanish is their official language. Suchitan, Ixtepeque, Acatenango, Atitlan, Moyuta, Agua, Cerro Santiago, Tajumulco, Chingo, Quezaltepeque, Chiquimula, Cuilapa-Barbarena, Flores, Fuego, IpalaVolc Field, Santa Maria, Almolonga, Santo Tomas, Tahual, Pacaya, Tecuamburro and Toliman are the names of some of the volcanoes from the region. Marriages: marriages in Guatemalan society is celebrated in a civil ceremony, followed by a religious rite. The country of Guatemala in Central America is rich in history, culture, and national treasures. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. She strives to make travel planning and traveling easier for all. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. 12 facts you probably don't know about Guatemala. Giving gifts: gifts can be given in a business setting, but are not usually entertained in the first meeting. Guatemala is one of the most interesting countries we have traveled to. About tuc tucs, collectivoes and chicken buses. 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. 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. It is the country that has become synonymouswith the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Zanzibar. There are 2 mountain chains that run across Guatemala from West to East. More than 1,000,000 were forced to leave their home. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. If you want to spend money while visiting Guatemala City, youre going to need to change your dollars for the Guatemalan Quetzal. Share them in the comments below! Trek up Volcn de Pacaya A day-trip from Antigua or Guatemala City, a hike to the top of active volcano Pacaya is an unforgettable experience. Area. The Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were . According to the Cardamom Association, Guatemala is the largest exporter of cardamom in the world. (Source: National Geographic), 13. Guatemala, known as the "land of trees" in the Mayan tongue, is officially known as the Republic of Guatemala. It is also the third-largest country in Central America behind Nicaragua and Honduras. 1. (Source: World Bank), 22. People also paint the gravestones of their relatives with bright colors. Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. Overlooked by most visitors, Guatemala City is . However, it was composed by Rafael lvarez Ovalle. 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Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. People living in Guatemala are called Guatemalan. GDP Per Capita, PPP. 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. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. It covers an area of 108,889 sq km. 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. 38. And an average of 101 murders per week was reported in 2016. 31. As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. (Source: Lonely Planet), 6. 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. Guatemala for Kids. Sun: 7 hrs per day (sunshine) / 11.3 hrs per day (daylight) Rain: 7mm per month. 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 . Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . 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 long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. (Source: Oxford Dictionary), 11. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . 1. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Your email address will not be published. Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. He was accompanied by Tlaxcaltecan warriors from what is now Mexico. Guatemala is not only bordered by the four countries of Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras; its also bordered by two of the worlds largest oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. Corrections? Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. The major cash crops in Guatemala include coffee, bananas, sugar, cotton hemp, and cacao. 43. However, Spanish is their official language. The biggest one is La Terminal in Zone 4, while the most tourist-friendly is the Mercado Central in Zone 1. 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! This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. Essential Facts. Guatemala City is generally famous for its sheer size - though also for its banking and transport prowess, too. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. MAJESTIC TURKEY BY CULTURE TRIP. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. Conferences, sightseeing films and concerts are organized here for the public to enjoy. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. . We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. It has four bordering countries that include Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. 20 Awesome Tips for Planning Your Patagonia Trip. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! Clothes: the Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Although cotton, silk, and wool are traditional fibers for clothing, they are also used to make rugs and blankets. 25. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. However, Evangelical Protestantism and later Orthodoxy have become popular in the recent decade. 3. 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