One important economic fact about Guatemala is that the agricultural sector generates about 25% of the country's GDP. 26. 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. Antigua Guatemala. 39. Guatemala City is not only the biggest of its kind in Central America, its also home to the deepest lake in the region, too. Guatemala is divided into 3 Geographic Regions, 11. Almost 50% of Guatemalans are employed in agricultural activities. Guatemala is divided into 22 departments, which are further divided into 335 municipalities. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! In the space of under three centuries the city, which was . During that period between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 people were killed, and over 600 massacre sites were uncovered. Outdoor sports such as rafting, white- water rafting; kayaking and volcano climbing are also preferred. Im a regular contributor to Storyteller Travel. Guatemala City is surprisingly large. The major cash crops in Guatemala include coffee, bananas, sugar, cotton hemp, and cacao. (Source: The Nobel Prize), 12. (Source: Lonely Planet), 21. 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. (Source: CIA World Fact Book), 14. Other countries that became independent duringthe same year includeEl Salvador,Honduras,Nicaragua, andCosta Rica. 17,109,746. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is considered fairly violent at present - it has high crime rates for the region, meaning taking special care is always recommended. It was first introduced in the 1700s and soon after, it became the countrys most significant export. There they teach painting, sculpture, and graphic art. Victory, freedom, honor and bravery are what this flag represents. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin, which is also the largest and capital city of Guatemala, is known as Guatemala City. It's an excellent choice to stay at while being in Guatemala city. If youre planning to travel to Bulgaria, there are some important, For many, Tanzania may be the most well-known country in Africa. MAJESTIC TURKEY BY CULTURE TRIP. In fact, schools across the citys many zones are likely to close early if ash is descending purely a move of safety! Agriculture makes up 13.5% of the GDP of Guatemala and accounts for two fifths of exports. 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 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 Mayan ruins have been part of a national park in Guatemala since the 1960s, and in 1979 they were . We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide them with the resources to do so. Guatemala is a developing country characterized by wide income disparities. Name Elevation (m) Elevation (ft) Coordinates Last eruption Acatenango: 3976: 13,044 1972 Agua: 3760: 12,336: Holocene . Please add your thoughts to the comments below. 22. According to a 2018 census, 41.66% of Guatemalans are Mayan. Guatemalans fly kites to honour their dead. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Therefore, Guatemala City was completely rebuilt in its stead. Tikal, or Yax Mutal, was an important city in the empire of the Maya from 200 to 900 A.D. 5. Most 21 Interesting & Funny Facts about Nevada that Nobody Know. The currency of GuatemalaGuatemalan Quetzalis named after the beautiful Quetzal bird. And an average of 101 murders per week was reported in 2016. 42. Its capital city, Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncin (Guatemala City), is the largest city in Central America. 40. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Watch the eruptions at night, when brilliant orange lava lights up the sky. 23. By the end of the civil war, 200,000 citizens were dead. Music: the music of Guatemala is diverse and includes several styles and expressions. There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize, 13. 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! The unequal distribution of land and wealth in the country is the biggest reason for uneven development in the region. Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America. Families in Guatemala share a close bond with each other and remain that way their entire lives. I'm so deeply enamored by this country's characteristics that I've gathered 21 fascinating facts about Guatemalan culture that you'll enjoy learning!! According to the CIA, the median age in Guatemala is 23.2 years old. There are 2 mountain chains that run across Guatemala from West to East. 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". Among the major religious structures are the cathedral (1815) and the churches of San Francisco, Santo Domingo (famous throughout Central America for its Holy Week procession), and La Merced (colonial but rebuilt after 1917). 56. Bananas and coffee are Guatemalas biggest exports. The GDP per capita was $5,300 and the inflation rate was about 4.4 percent for the same year. Suggest an edit, Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country. 1. The first person was writer and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. As of 2022, both Guatemala and Belize are trying to settle the dispute at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague, Netherlands. Before the Spanish people arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. Your email address will not be published. The country has the second-largest concentration of Ozone. Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and also the most populous . Humidity: 80%. Guatemala is home to approximately 17.7 million people. The country is also the worlds leading producer of Jade. Comparing this to a British locale, its around 1.5x bigger than Greater Manchester. Please read on for 24 facts that make Guatemala such a special place. Standing at 11,598 feet . With these facts about Guatemala, let us explore its history, culture, food, volcanoes, geography, economy, trade and more. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. This makes it the second-highest peak in Central America. The national beer is called Gallo. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America 68th overall. Nearly half of its population is under the age of 19. 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 is well-known for its awe-inspiring treasures. Learn more about Natasha Alden on The World Pursuit About Us Page. The Quetzal is actually named for the national bird of the same moniker! 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. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. 2. Some amazing facts about Guatemala. A Guatemalan woman proposed a meal option with smaller portions for children in the 1970s. The national anthem of Guatemala was not written by a Guatemalan, but by a Cuban Jos Joaqun Palma. Interesting Facts About Guatemala. 8. One of the most colorful facts about Guatemala! The Garifuna people also live along the Caribbean side of Guatemala. Ancient Mayan ruins nestled in the jungle, the colorful colonial town of Antigua, magnificent volcanoes all throughout the country. Mats, baskets, hats, and baskets are also made by Highland Amerindians using different types of cane and fibers from maguey cactus. Clothes: the Mayan people are known to wear bright colored shirts, blouses, dresses, and capes. People also paint the gravestones of their relatives with bright colors. 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. 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. This is one of my favorite interesting facts about Guatemala! Pop. This volcano had its last small eruption in 1863 and has been quiet ever since. One of the top textiles produced in the country is blue denim. Guatemala, officially theRepublic of Guatemala, is the67th most populouscountry in the world. Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala. (Source:Encyclopedia.com), 7. Dining Etiquettes: when invited to a Guatemala household for dinner, carry a small gift item (avoid food items) for the family. 1. Maximn, also known as San Simn, is described as an idol formed by the fusion of traditional Mayan deities, Catholic saints, and conquistador legends.. This is one of the most interesting Guatemala facts to learn. At its deepest, it is 1,120 feet (340 meters) deep. Guatemala has plenty of noteworthy sites to explore. 01 The origin of the name 'Guatemala' is 'Quahtlemallan' which means 'place of many trees'. You complete. Expect rock bottom prices on the backpacker route, and you can find beautiful accommodation and meals if you spring for a bit higher budget. It is the seat of the principal faculties of the San Carlos University of Guatemala (established 1676 in Antigua Guatemala); the major institutions for artistic, commercial, vocational, and military education; the Society of Geography and History; and several important museums. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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! Guatemala is part of this area. No#11: Famous things. Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala. 2. Guatemala is a budget-friendly country. 2.) 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