In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. Essential Facts. Your email address will not be published. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. About firecrackers and bombing sounds. Chocolate residue dating back to 460-480 AD was found in a vessel in Guatemala. 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. 1. 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. Instead of States or Provinces, Guatemala has Departments, 14. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. (Source: Washington Post), 20. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags. Guatemalan Indian-rights activist, Rigoberta Mench, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1992. With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Tajumulco Volcano in Guatemala is the highest peak inCentral America. During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe and home to beautiful natural landscapes, historic landmarks, monasteries, and seaside towns. This article may contain affiliate links. Required fields are marked *. 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. 32. The country's contemporary capital, Guatemala City, is a major metropolitan centre; Quetzaltenango in the western highlands is the nucleus of the Indian population. According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. 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. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. But remnants of other ancient sites have been unearthed and can be found all over the country. According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. 30 Interesting & Fun Facts about Maryland State | What is Known for? The country features over 10,000 plants and over 3,000 wildlife species. It contains 14 eco-regions including mangroves, littorals, scrublands, dry forests, cloud forests, and subtropical and tropical rainforests. 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. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! 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. One day in Guatemala City. Guatemalan coins in circulation include 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos, and a 1 Quetzal coin. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She has been traveling for over 10 years, across 7 continents, experiencing unique cultures, new food, and meeting fantastic people. 41. A great contrast can be seen between the cultures of the poverty-stricken Mayan rural residents of the country who live in the highland region and the relatively wealthy mestizos (called Ladinos in Guatemala) living in the urban areas. 27. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. Between 1523 and 1524, Spanish explorer Pedro de Alvarado defeated the indigenous Maya and turned Guatemala into a Spanish colony. (Source: National Geographic), 13. Home Facts 31 FUN & Interesting Facts About Guatemala. What cool facts would you add to my list? As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and . Inhabited 13,000 Years. 9. Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. MAJESTIC TURKEY BY CULTURE TRIP. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Open now. Guatemala Facts - 10 Fun and Interesting Facts! This was actually the Spaniards third try at making a capital city in this newly founded territory. If you are adventurous enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with awesome views of Guatemala, Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. Itis a country inCentral America. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. One of the top textiles produced in the country is blue denim. As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! Today tamales are filled with beef, pork, chicken, cheese, green chiles, and vegetables. The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich indigenous culture and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation. 2.) North of the plain is a row of volcanoes. This is a list of active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes in Guatemala. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. Pachas (a kind of tamale made from potatoes) is a common dish in Guatemala eaten usually on Thursdays. Tourism is the second-largest industry in the country, employing approximately 35% of its population. 56. 02 Another name for the nation is Land of Eternal Spring. With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! 26. If you are planning a trip to Guatemala, or simply intrigued about the country, here are 7 interesting facts. Share them in the comments below! This forest avian is sadly fairly rare to spot in the wild, however, youll see them every day on the national currency. It is believed that Guatemala invented the first chocolate bar and its one of its biggest exports so we can thank the country for getting it out to the rest of us. By contrast, the median age in the United States is 38.5 years. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. 2. 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! There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Guatemala. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. Bartering skills are a must, and haggling is thoroughly expected. https://www.britannica.com/place/Guatemala-City, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g292006-Guatemala_City_Guatemala_Department-Vacations.html, Your email address will not be published. The Maya reached the height of their power sometime in the sixth century. 47. 04 With a total area of 108,889 sq km, Guatemala is the world's 107th largest nation. Nor, for that matter, is it an especially safe one. Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Given that the city is surrounded by volcanoes, its a hub for natural activity and, sadly, disasters. 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. After gaining independence from Spain in the 1820s, Guatemala had a long history of government by authoritarian rule and military regimes until it came under democratic rule in 1985. Hotel in Zona 10, Guatemala. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. Spanish is the official and most commonly spoken language. Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. Facts about Guatemala. Bananas and coffee are Guatemalas biggest exports. On a trip to the country, a traveler learns about the strong cultural heritage of Guatemalans which blends indigenous European, Mayan and Caribbean influences. 4. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! Area. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. It is a large baroque style church with a beautiful bright blue dome visible from the distance. 32 Fun Facts About Italy You Should Know. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. Zones 20, 22 and 23 do not exist, due to the fact that they . Now, thats a lot to handle in such a short time but I dare say, the country has weathered the bad quite well! Do Octopuses Have Bones? 38. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. See Four Magnificent Volcanoes. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. temperature: 23C / 73.4F. Guatemala City is home to 23 public markets selling produce from across the country. 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. Antigua Guatemala History Facts. 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. Guatemala, known as the "land of trees" in the Mayan tongue, is officially known as the Republic of Guatemala. Guatemalan cuisine is a delicious blend of many cultures including Mayan and Spanish. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. It is also regarded as the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as the countrys most important national and international tourist attraction. Join us as we share our experiences and the best attractions, animals, and foods from around the world. Similarly, speaking loudly in public is looked down upon. The export of coffee is the countrys biggest business. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. Ten fun facts about Guatemala City. One of Central America's most active volcanoes, Pacaya regularly spits out clouds of rock and ash. Antigua, the capital of the Captaincy-General of Guatemala, was founded in the early 16th century. Guatemalan clothing facts: The Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. 20. 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