Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in the country and Central America, is 4203 m above sea level. If youve ever heard the saying, if you dont like the weather, go to the back yard, you can apply it to the varying weather conditions of Guatemala! 3. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. Guatemala is one of only a handful of countries with capital cities named the same! We receive compensation if you make a purchase, but it won't cost you anything extra. Similarly, fillings and wrappings have also changed over time, and leaves, soft tree parks, and cornhusks have all been used throughout history. The second person was Rigoberta Mench Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. In fact, it is known as the Green Gold of Guatemala.. Welcoming a new born: as soon as a baby is born, hot tortilla drink is given to the mother. As a result, many children are unaware nor are recognized by their father. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. There are around 10,929 Guatemalans for every square mile in this city hardly space to escape for peace and quiet, but thats how they like it! This article may contain affiliate links. Changing climate is also its top topic. Guatemala became independent in 1821. Guatemala also has numerous mountains and volcanoes. The longest civil war in the history of Latin America, which was fought between military governments, right-wing vigilante groups and leftist rebels lasted a good 36 years. 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. Tikal is one of world's great ancient wonders. Home Facts 31 FUN & Interesting Facts About Guatemala. 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". The most active volcano is located near Guatemala City. National Colours: blue and white. Guatemala is the third-largest country in Central America and the 105th largest country in the world. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Guatemala has two main seasons. In ancient Mayan times, the feathers of this bird were used as currency. If you'd like to learn more visit the about us page. Guatemalan culture is influenced by the two major ethnic groups. Guatemalans, in particular Mayan women, are skilled textile producers. Guatemalan clothing facts: The Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. There are around 22 different zones that the city splits into though some dont actually exist thanks to border clashes. Guatemala Area and Population Density. Facts about Guatemala. Guatemala City Cathedral, also called Metropolitan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the city. Guatemala is best known as the birthplace of the Mayan civilisation and many of its ancient traditions are present across the country. All these countries gained their independence from Spain. 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. 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). One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! There are 21 Mayan languages(alanguage familyspoken inMesoamericaand northernCentral America by at least 6 millionMaya peoples) spoken in Guatemala. Hilachas. Check out our language learning section. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. Other countries that became independent duringthe same year includeEl Salvador,Honduras,Nicaragua, andCosta Rica. Standing at 11,598 feet . Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. . Apart from drinking fruit juices, Guatemalans also love drinking fruit shakes, commonly referred as licuados. (2014). According to a 2018 census, 41.66% of Guatemalans are Mayan. He is characterized as a trickster with both good and evil traits. (Source: UNESCO), 3. Guatemala for Kids. Families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 19 Interesting & Fun Facts about Iowa State | What is Known for? It has been said by many people that Lake Atitlan is the most beautiful lake in the world. Guatemala City also dominates the cultural life of the country. Other points of interest include the remarkable concrete relief map of the country in Minerva Park, the archaeological and historical museums, the colonial aqueduct, the central market, and Olympic City, built for the Central American Olympic Games of 1950. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 1 It's a big, sprawling metropolis where population growth has outpaced the city's . Plus, in the heart of the dry season . 31. 1. Guatemala is not only the largest country in Central America, but also an endlessly intriguing place with a tumultuous history. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemalas large expatriate community in the US. Guatemala is known for its steep volcanoes, vast rainforests, and ancient Mayan sites. (Source: CIA World Fact Book) 2. Area. 42. (Source: World Bank), 22. Do you know any fun facts about Guatemala? Required fields are marked *. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. The ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal in Guatemala is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization and was inhabited for 16 centuries from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. People living in Guatemala are called Guatemalan. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica,Nicaragua, Honduras andEl Salvador. So lets know What is Guatemala Famous for & Interesting Facts About Guatemala City. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. Guatemala knew 36 years of civil war. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. Comparing this to a British locale, it's around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. 1. Which one touch you most leave a comment below. Guatemala is part of this area. Guatemala is a fairly small country but Guatemala City boasts the largest population in Central America, with around three million people. 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. Guatemala is also the number one producer and exporter of cardamom worldwide. Now (as of 2022), the population is 17,703,190. (Source: Britannica, UNESCO), 23. 36. The Oriental Orthodoxy and the Eastern Orthodox Church claim rapid growth, especially in the native Maya people. In the 1600s and 1700s, a number of treaties were signed between Britain and Spain saying that Belize fell under Spanish sovereignty, but could be used by the English. Guatemala means 'land of the trees'. Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm . 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. In addition, Guatemalans also enjoy an activity known as Spelunking where they go and explore the caves. Fortunately for visitors and locals alike, only three of the countrys 37 volcanoes are active so its safe to think that you will visit most of them without the worry of an eruption happening while youre there. It is believed that drinking hot tortilla helps provide abundant, good and rich breast milk. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. Aside from that, the capital of Guatemala and its largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin. Kings were buried in masks made of jade with the thought that it would accelerate their travel to the afterlife. 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. Cool Facts about Guatemala. 10. Surrounded by volcanoes, it has been called one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Home / Caribbean / Fun Facts about Guatemala. Occupying a total area of 108,889 km (42,042 sq mi), Guatemala ranks as the world's 105th-largest nation. We often hear about the ancient Mayans and their achievements and downfall but did you know that about half of Guatemalas population is indigenous and descended from the Maya people? Guatemala City is actually the biggest city in the whole of Central America making it something of a Goliath landmark across the region. Atitln. 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. Dining Etiquettes: when invited to a Guatemala household for dinner, carry a small gift item (avoid food items) for the family. Religion: Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion in Guatemala followed by nearly 50% of the countrys population. Humidity: 80%. The capital city changed its location many times, 7. 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. The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. Guatemala City is the industrial and commercial center of the country, employing the remaining 15% of the population. You can easily average US $25-$30 per day including meals, lodging, and activities on the budget end. Visitors flock to this site to take glimpses of the red-hot lava. The first ever chocolate bar was also invented in Guatemala during the Mayan times. Hotel in Zona 10, Guatemala. 25. Antigua Guatemala, the previous capital, had been devastated completely by an earthquake. 5. Known as the Land of the Eternal Spring, Guatemala belongs to the seven countries that conform Central America. 11. Coffee is the most-known export but bananas and sugar are also considered main products that are used both locally and exported to other countries. Fun Facts About Vermont | 35 Things You Might Not Know. Between 1523 and 1524, Spanish explorer Pedro de Alvarado defeated the indigenous Maya and turned Guatemala into a Spanish colony. Guatemala's GDP in 2013 was $81.5 billion, up from $78.9 in the previous year. 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. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. Family life: families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. To the Spanish ear, it sounded like Guatemala., Quauhteallan means land of trees or forested land.. 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. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. Guatemala City is so large, its actually split into multiple different zones. 50. 1. 20 8189 7000. What cool facts would you add to my list? The unique flavors and textures of traditional dishes come from a variety of spices mixed with vegetables, meats, dry chillies and tropical fruit. Guatemala City is the biggest city in the country, too and since 1776, its been through its fair share of disasters and cultural moments. 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