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. It also caused the death of a man. The active volcanoes in Guatemala include Fuego, Pacaya and Santiaguito. Guatemala City, Spanish Guatemala or in full Ciudad de Guatemala, capital of Guatemala, the largest city in Central America, and the political, social, cultural, and economic centre of Guatemala. 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. Many of these arrive on cruise ships. 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. Interesting facts about Guatemala. The music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. The river is a major transportation artery for coffee, bananas and other fruits that are raised in the valleys of the countrys eastern region. Population: 17.4 million people (2021) Capital: Guatemala City with 3 million people. She is an expert in travel, budgeting, and finding unique experiences. Here are some fun facts about Guatemala City that may just surprise you. 42. Occupying a total area of 108,889 km (42,042 sq mi), Guatemala ranks as the world's 105th-largest nation. Italy may be our favorite country in Europe and for that matter one of our favorites in the world. 36. 4. 22. Instead of States or Provinces, Guatemala has Departments, 14. However, Spanish is their official language. Ethnicity, Language, And Religion In Guatemala. 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. 1. 108,889 SQ.KM. The capital city changed its location many times, 7. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. Guatemalan Indian-rights activist, Rigoberta Mench, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1992. Tikal National Park is the worlds first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. If youre a wildlife and nature lover, youll love exploring Guatemalas green spaces. As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. (Source: Oxford Dictionary), 11. 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. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. Humidity: 80%. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! According to estimates by the United Nations in 2019, Guatemala was the 66th most populated country in the world. Museo de Historia. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! 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). Facts about Guatemala. 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 . 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. One day in Guatemala City. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. Even though I spent just one day in Guatemala City Really enjoyed this . 25. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. km (42,042 sq mi). Are you know what is Guatemala famous for? By the end of civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. Avg. It is also known as Guatemala City. Over one-third of Guatemala is covered by forests. While traditional clothing is worn often by the poorer Guatemalans, Ladinos prefer wearing western- style outfits. (Source: BBC News), 5. Name: Republic of Guatemala (Repblica de Guatemala) Official Language: Spanish. Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped belt around the Pacific Ocean known for its volcanic activity. Were long-time travelers and lived in South America for six years. The lake covers 48 square miles and is believed to be 900 feet . Required fields are marked *. Guatemala geographical features more than other city. The famous "El Guarda" market in Guatemala City's Zona 11 is one such place, and you should avoid it. 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. (Source: The Guardian), Complete Flags of the World. Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. There are eight coffee regions in the country and the coffee grown in each one is unique from all the others. 47. Hello, Im Diane Diegor. 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. 1. Guatemala is bordered by four countries and two oceans, 9. However, Spanish is their official language. 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. 20 8189 7000. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. A lot of Guatemalans live in poverty. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. According to the Cardamom Association, Guatemala is the largest exporter of cardamom in the world. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. More interestingly, the agricultural sector employs about 50% of the country's labor force. Avoid getting scammed at the market in Guatemala. About 60 percent of people are of European or mixed heritage, known as ladino (what is often called mestizo in English), with nearly all the remainder of Mayan ancestry. Perhaps it should be. By contrast, the median age in the United States is 38.5 years. (2002) 942,348. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. Hilachas. These sites include Antigua Guatemala, Tikal national Park, Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua. Language: the official language of Guatemala is Spanish. Avoid giving easily breakable gifts. 37. The Mayan Empire was centered in the lowlands of Guatemala, 5. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. The Guatemalan security forces that murdered thousands of civilians were trained and equipped by the USA. The Guatemalan population has grown significantly, 17. As is the case in many regions of Central and South America, the tap water is not safe to drink. Guatemala has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore. . Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Im a travel and nature enthusiast. Tours. View this post on Instagram. 3 out of 30 volcanoes are still active. 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). Considered one of the most advanced and sophisticated pre-Columbian civilizations, the Mayans built astonishing pyramid-temples. He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. Today tamales are filled with beef, pork, chicken, cheese, green chiles, and vegetables. 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. Home / Central America / Fun Facts about Guatemala City. (Source: World Bank), 22. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat. Guatemalas national bird is the quetzal. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. That's the county, not the city alone! Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! Guatemala City was founded in 1776 to replace Antigua Guatemala, which had been virtually destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, as the capital of the captaincy general of Guatemala. The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich indigenous culture and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation. 9. 26. Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Guatemala has a population of 14.6 million (mid-2014 data) with a growth rate of 1.86 percent. 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. The country saw 6,000 violent deaths in 2014. 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. 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. Now (as of 2022), the population is 17,703,190. Open now. It measures approximately 250 miles. There are still many descendants of the Maya in Guatemala, 6. Agriculture is a huge part of life in Guatemala with many people making a living off the land. Despite being almost twice the size of Greater Manchester, Guatemala City has a population of around a similar total. 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. Plaza de la Constitucin. Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. Locals in Guatemala prefer to drink coffee weak and sweet with little milk. 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. Thats the county, not the city alone! 1873-85 - Guatemala ruled by liberal President Justo Rufino Barrios, who modernises the country, develops the army and introduces coffee growing. The Quetzal is the national bird & White Nun Orchid (Monja Blanca) is thenational flower of Guatemala. Share them in the comments below! The conflict saw an estimated 200,000 people killed with many of the casualties a result of human rights atrocities committed by the government. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Here are some intriguing facts you should know about Guatemala City. It has an area of 108,889 sq km. Flag of Guatemala Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. 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. There are measures you can practice to avoid getting sick such as avoiding drinks with ice cubes and not eating fruit and vegetables that are washed in tap water. Lake Atitlan is famously deep at around 340 meters! Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, the Central American country of Guatemala comprises approximately 60,000 square miles of territory. There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Some of the volcanoes are active. It has coasts on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Taboos: if you put your thumb in between your index and middle finger while making a fist, it is considered an obscene gesture. A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. 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. Remember these details: 14.6349 N, 90.5069 W. Guatemala City remains something of a tourist hotspot (emphasis on hot!). Some are up to 30 years old. 10 Delightful Facts about Dublin, Ireland, 14 Wonderful Facts about Windsor Castle. 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. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! Have you been to Guatemala? Guatemala is part of the ring of fire, 20. Pop. . More than 1.2 million people visit Guatemala every year. With its suburbs, Guatemala City holds more than 20% of the republic's population. The Guatemalan flag is more than a white center bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the national emblem in the middle. If you thought the idea for the McDonalds Happy Meal was cooked up in the United States, think again! (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. The Garifuna people also live along the Caribbean side of Guatemala. We hope you enjoyed these facts about Guatemala, for more facts about the world see below: Natasha is the co-founder of The World Pursuit. Guatemala is home to at least 37 volcanoes, 3 of which have erupted since 2021. Guatemala is home to the highest point in Central America, 21. Quetzal (GTQ) is its currency. 1. 8. Located in the wilds of . I guess its an acquired taste or perhaps some people just dont know good beer. For a detailed report on crime in the country, as well as some safety tips, read this page. Going out in pairs, or groups will help cut any risks. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. The Maya believed that jade had a spiritual significance. Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron Seagle and Natasha Alden. The national currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal (GTQ). The export of coffee is the country's biggest business. A Central American country, Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 sq. 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