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. On this day, Guatemalans visit the local cemetery and fly kites in memory of their loved ones. Fourteen percent (14%) of Guatemalans live on less than $1.25 US a day. In 1998 hurricane Mitch hit Guatemala. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. These include 21 Maya languages. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Before you make your way to this Central American country, learning a few facts about Guatemala is important. Although Monogamy is a rule, many men have a wife as well as a mistress. Photo credit. 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. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national 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. 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). Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 23 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. The modern city was largely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquakes of 191718, which shook the city intermittently for six weeks. Pop. temperature: 23C / 73.4F. It was also used as a symbol of status and wealth. 1. Which one touch you most leave a comment below. (Source: Britannica), 10. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. 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. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. 44. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. (Source: World Bank), 22. Guatemala City, while technically the main hub of the country since the late 1700s, is actually the fourth capital city Guatemalas ever laid claim to. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. Italy may be our favorite country in Europe and for that matter one of our favorites in the world. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. It's an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala city. The dry season (verano or summer) begins in November and lasts until May. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Guatemalas Lake Atitln is the deepest lake in Central America, with a maximum depth of about 340 meters. The longest civil war in Latin American history was in Guatemala, 8. These 3 are the appropriately named Fuego (Fire) Volcano, Pacaya Volcano, and Santa Maria Volcano. The white is the country itself while the blue strips are the two oceans that border it. Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. And an average of 101 murders per week were reported in 2016. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! However, Spanish is their official language. Its even advised that tourists use bottled water when brushing their teeth. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. Land of the Maya. Here are some intriguing facts you should know about Guatemala City. With many languages & natural beauty Mount Guatemala is a very popular tourist destination. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . 108,889 SQ.KM. Guatemala City, or Guate to the locals, isn't what you'd call a pretty city. Home Facts 31 FUN & Interesting Facts About Guatemala. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and . 11 Interesting Facts about Albert Einstein. The Guatemala coat of arms features the national bird, a scroll containing the date of Central American independence, a wreath and crossed rifles and sabres. It is the focus of highway, rail, and air transport and is the commercial and banking centre of the country. In 2018, 60,000 previously uncharted structures were found within an 811 square mile area (2,100 square kilometers) using LiDAR technology. Staff at Inguat, at 7 Av 1-17, Zona 4, Guatemala City (t 2421 2800, w visitguatemala.com), are always helpful and English-speakers are available. 3. 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). Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. It might seem like a familiar system in cities, but in Guatemala City some of them are missing. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 8. 28. Guatemala is home to all sorts of biodiversity. MAJESTIC TURKEY BY CULTURE TRIP. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. It is also known as Xela (pronounced "sheh-lah") or Xelaj ("sheh-lah-hoo"), its original name in the k'iche' language, and which means "under the ten ideas or concepts". Many of these arrive on cruise ships. 20. Required fields are marked *. (Source: Lonely Planet), 16. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. It measures approximately 250 miles. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Official languages: Spanish Capital: Guatemala City Area: 108,890 km Population: 13.6 million residents Population density: 124.44 residents per km Currency: GTQ Internet TLD: .gt ISO codes: GT, GTM , 320 The prefix for Guatemala is +502. If invited to a household in Guatemala, it is appropriate to bring chocolates, wine or flowers (avoid taking white flowers as they are generally brought to funerals). Guatemala is probably an indigenous name originating either from the words Quauhtemallan meaning land of trees or Guhatezmalha meaning mountain of vomiting water, referring to its volcanic eruptions. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. 1. Alternate titles: Ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. Economic Overview. Im a travel and nature enthusiast. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. In the town of San Andres Itzapa, there is even a large temple dedicated to his worship. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. Share them in the comments below! Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. 2. 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. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! As the financial core of the country, too, its importance really cant be understated! Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Thats the county, not the city alone! The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcn de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. 20 8189 7000. In the environs of Guatemala City are the villages of Chinautla, famous for hand-formed pottery, Mixco, which supplies the capital with fruits and vegetables, and the Indian towns of San Pedro and San Juan Sacatepquez, all of which suffered extensive damage in the earthquake of 1976. 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). Inhabited 13,000 Years. If youre planning to travel to Bulgaria, there are some important, For many, Tanzania may be the most well-known country in Africa. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. 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. Have you been to Guatemala? Tikal is one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya Civilization. Beautiful Volcn Atitln is the tallest of the three impressive volcanoes on spectacular Lake Atitln, one of the most beautiful lakes 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. Pedro de Alvarado invaded Guatemala in 1523. The civil war in Guatemala was fought between November 13, 1960, and December 29, 1996. (Source: BBC News), 19. . They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. According to a 2018 census, 41.66% of Guatemalans are Mayan. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Visitors flock to this site to take glimpses of the red-hot lava. With average temperatures of 23C / 73.4F in December, Guatemala makes for a great escape from the harsh winters of the Northern hemisphere. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. The organization has smaller branches in Antigua, Flores, Panajachel and Quetzaltenango, and at the airports in Flores and Guatemala City. Miguel ngel Asturias Rosales (October 19, 1899 June 9, 1974) was a Nobel Prize-winning Guatemalan poet-diplomat, novelist, playwright and journalist. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . At seven and a half percent, the diabetes rate in Guatemala is not beyond help, but 47.7 percent of the population is overweight, 16.4 percent of the population is obese and 12.4 percent of the population is considered physically inactive. Guatemala has many light industries, most of which involve the processing of locally grown products such as chicken, beef, pork, coffee, wheat, corn, sugar, cotton, cacao, vegetables and fruits, and spices such as cinnamon and cardamom. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. (Source: CNN), 24. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. More interestingly, the agricultural sector employs about 50% of the country's labor force. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. (2014). Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. Here you can pick up souvenirs and see the huge piles of produce, flowers and other goods for sale. Standing at 11,598 feet . Its capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, also known asGuatemala City. Guatemalas national bird is the quetzal. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. , with a maximum depth of about 340 meters ) deep ) deep wife as as... City ), is the country & # x27 ; s an excellent choice to stay at while in. White is the commercial and banking centre of the red-hot lava ( 340 meters wild..., white- water rafting ; kayaking and Volcano climbing are also preferred ruins nestled the... 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