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Guatemala is likely one of the most attention-grabbing nations we’ve traveled to. With a wealthy historical past and tradition, there are many enjoyable information about Guatemala to be taught.
Guatemala carries a mixture of indigenous and colonial influences, a powerful Mayan tradition, and a wealthy pure panorama the place you could find historical ruins deep within the rainforest, Guatemala is as charming in actual life because it sounds.
Earlier than you make your approach to this Central American nation, studying a couple of information about Guatemala is essential.
Attention-grabbing Info About Guatemala
1. A Distinctive World Heritage Website
Do you know that Guatemala is house to the primary blended UNESCO World Heritage Website that mixes each pure and cultural wonders?
That web site is Tikal Nationwide Park and on this park you’ll discover pristine jungle terrain and interesting Mayan ruins. Think about these historical ruins set towards the luxurious jungle cover and also you’ll perceive why they name this web site “blended” and why it’s probably the most visited locations within the nation.
2. The Which means Behind The Nation’s Identify
Earlier than individuals began calling it Guatemala round 1524, the identify of the land was Quauhtemallan which, in accordance with many historians, loosely interprets into English as Land of Many Timber. The identify matches nicely as a result of Guatemala has loads of bushes in its huge wilderness areas and even in its sprawling cities.
3. A Sacred Nationwide Image
It was sacred to the traditional Mayan and Aztec individuals and that is likely one of the the explanation why the colourful Quetzal was chosen because the nation’s nationwide fowl.
4. The Nation Has Had Two Nobel Prize Winners
So far, two individuals from Guatemala have gained the Nobel Prize. The primary particular person was author and journalist Miguel Asturias in 1967. The second particular person was Rigoberta Menchú Tum in 1992 for her work in feminism and human rights.
5. Guatemala Has A Lengthy Human Historical past
Earlier than the Spanish individuals arrived in Central America, Guatemala was inhabited by indigenous Mayan peoples. Archeological finds recommend that the area was inhabited by people way back to 20,000 years in the past.
6. The Lovely Lake Atitlan
It has been stated by many individuals that Lake Atitlan is essentially the most stunning lake on the planet. Whether or not it’s or not, one factor is for sure and that’s that the lake is the deepest in Central America.
Surrounded by pristine pure magnificence and bordered by three towering volcanoes and a number of other vibrant Mayan villages, the lake is, little question, a ravishing place and one which you must go to when you occur to be in Guatemala.
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7. Previous Buses Get A Second Probability In Guatemala
The massive, yellow buses which can be utilized in the USA to shuttle youngsters forwards and backwards to high school have a lifespan of ten years or 150,000 miles. Once they attain considered one of these milestones, they’re auctioned off and brought to Guatemala, the place native individuals repaint them and use them for budget-friendly public transportation. These are known as Rooster Buses and also you’ll see them throughout Guatemala.
8. A Nation With Many Tongues
Whereas Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, there are 24 different languages spoken within the nation together with 22 Mayan languages. That being stated, when you can converse and perceive some primary Spanish, you’ll get alongside simply positive as most Guatemalans can converse it.
9. A FamousMacDonald’s Completely satisfied Meal
This is likely one of the most attention-grabbing Guatemala information to be taught. In case you thought the concept for the McDonald’s Completely satisfied Meal was cooked up in the USA, suppose once more! A Guatemalan girl proposed a meal possibility with smaller parts for youngsters within the Nineteen Seventies.
She known as it one thing else however when the concept crossed the desk of a McDonald’s govt in the USA, he preferred the concept and added it to the menu after altering the identify to the one we all know in the present day, the Completely satisfied Meal.
10. A Candy Guatemala Invention
The cacao tree is very revered by the Maya individuals and in Mayan tradition and chocolate is called “the meals of the gods.” As a chocolate lover, I can’t say I disagree! Chocolate may be discovered in every single place within the nation together with in outlets and even in a museum devoted to the scrumptious candy deal with.
It’s believed that Guatemala invented the primary chocolate bar and it’s considered one of its greatest exports so we will thank the nation for getting it out to the remainder of us.
11. Bustling Guatemala Metropolis
Guatemala is a reasonably small nation however Guatemala Metropolis boasts the biggest inhabitants in Central America, with round three million individuals.
12. A World of Flavors
Guatemalan delicacies is a scrumptious mix of many cultures together with Mayan and Spanish. The distinctive flavors and textures of conventional dishes come from a wide range of spices blended with greens, meats, dry chillies and tropical fruit.
It’s pretty low cost to dine out in Guatemala so sampling the standard delicacies is straightforward and a should when touring across the nation!
13. A Flag With Heaps Of Which means
The Guatemalan flag is greater than a white middle bordered by two blue vertical stripes and with the nationwide emblem within the center. The white is the nation itself whereas the blue strips are the 2 oceans that border it.
The logo is the nation’s Coat of Arms which options crossed rifles and swords, a laurel wreath, a quetzal and the date that Central America grew to become unbiased from Spain. Victory, freedom, honor and bravado are what this flag represents.
14. Guatemala May Have The Finest Espresso In The World
Espresso from Guatemala is claimed to be the most effective on the planet and when you’ve ever tried it, you’ve seemingly tasted the distinction as a result of it stands out from some other espresso from wherever else on the planet. It was first launched within the 1700s and shortly after, it grew to become the nation’s most important export.
The beautiful style and high quality of Guatemalan espresso may be attributed to the area’s microclimates, distinctive cultivation strategies and altitude amongst different elements. There are eight espresso areas within the nation and the espresso grown in every one is exclusive from all of the others.
15. Guatemala Is Residence to A number of UNESCO World Heritage Websites
The picturesque city of Antigua, the traditional Maya metropolis of Quirigua and Tikal Nationwide Park all have one thing essential in widespread; they’re the three UNESCO World Heritage Websites that may be present in Guatemala.
16. Rejoice Guatemalan Independence Day
Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September fifteenth, 1821 and that essential occasion is widely known yearly on that date with the biggest celebrations happening within the vibrant metropolis of Quetzaltenango.
17. Descendants Of The Maya
We frequently hear concerning the historical Mayans and their achievements and downfall however do you know that about half of Guatemala’s inhabitants is indigenous and descended from the Maya individuals?
18. Guatemala Is A Chief In Textiles
Some of the colourful information about Guatemala! Guatemalans, specifically Mayan girls, are expert textile producers. One of many prime textiles produced within the nation is blue denim.
19. Guatemala’s Various Climate Situations
In case you’ve ever heard the saying, “when you don’t just like the climate, go to the again yard”, you may apply it to the various climate situations of Guatemala! Cool mountainous areas, damp jungles and sweltering coastal areas are simply among the situations you’ll discover across the nation. Dressing in layers is a should right here!
20. A Main Exporter Of Uncommon Jade
Jade is uncommon, however Guatemala occurs to have extra of those valuable stones than most different locations, making it a number one exporter of the beautiful, greenish stones which can be made into decorative gems which can be utilized in jewellery all over the world. In Guatemala, the gems are additionally used for ritualistic functions.
21. Turtle Conservation Is A Massive Deal In Guatemala
In Guatemala, turtle conservation is taken significantly and guests to the nation have the prospect to assist launch sea turtles into the ocean at Tortugario Monterrico. Earlier than the turtles hatch and are launched, their eggs are protected in nesting areas which can be arrange only for them.
22. A Land Of Volcanoes
Some of the attention-grabbing information about Guatemala is that it’s located on the Ring of Hearth, so it’s identified for its seismic exercise which incorporates energetic volcanoes.
Fortuitously for guests and locals alike, solely three of the nation’s 37 volcanoes are energetic so it’s protected to suppose that you’ll go to most of them with out the concern of an eruption taking place whilst you’re there.
The tallest volcano in Central America, which additionally occurs to be inactive and one of many prime locations to go to within the nation, is Tajumulco in San Marcos.
23. Flying Excessive In Honor Of The Dearly Departed
There are numerous alternative ways to rejoice deceased family members and in Guatemala, one fashionable approach to do exactly that’s by flying a kite. There’s even a complete pageant devoted to flying kites particularly to honor the lifeless.
All Saints Day Kite Pageant, which takes place each November 1st, is a well-liked occasion within the nation and kite-flying in honor of the lifeless has been a part of native tradition for over 3,000 years.
24. Nature Lovers Rejoice!
That is considered one of my favourite attention-grabbing information about Guatemala! Guatemala has been designated a megadiverse nation out of solely 17 nations that’ve obtained this honor. In case you’re a wildlife and nature lover, you’ll love exploring Guatemala’s inexperienced areas.
The nation options over 10,000 vegetation and over 3,000 wildlife species. The land is various too with mountains, sandy seashores, lush rainforests and dense jungles.
25. A Prolonged Civil Struggle
No quantity of warfare is good however the truth that the civil warfare that when raged in Guatemala was the longest ever in Latin America, lasting 36 years, is a tough one to understand. Throughout that interval between 1960 and 1996, over 200,000 individuals had been killed, and over 600 bloodbath websites had been uncovered.
26. Claiming Independence From Spain
On September 15th, 1821, Guatemala grew to become unbiased of the Spanish empire. Since that day, the nation has weathered two revolutions, a handful of dictatorships, an intervention backed by the USA, a civil warfare and a number of other navy coups. Now, that’s so much to deal with in such a short while however I dare say, the nation has weathered the dangerous fairly nicely!
27. Refreshing Golden Gallo
Guatemala’s nationwide beer is named Gallo and though some individuals find it irresistible, others aren’t so keen on it. I assume it’s an acquired style or maybe some individuals simply don’t know good beer. Both manner, I at all times wish to strive native dishes and drinks after I journey so when you’re ever in Guatemala, strive Gallo for your self and kind your personal opinion!
28. Guatemala Is Residence To The Indigenous Mayan Individuals
The Mayan civilization was probably the most progressive civilizations within the pre-Columbian age and so they constructed an enormous a part of their empire in what’s now present-day Guatemala. Unimaginable temples, an intricate writing system, a classy calendar and plenty of achievements in math, science and astronomy are simply among the issues the Maya are identified for.
Tikal and El Mirador are an important websites of this extremely superior society. However remnants of different historical websites have been unearthed and may be discovered all around the nation.
29. A Nation With Many Borders
Guatemala isn’t solely bordered by the 4 nations of Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras; it’s additionally bordered by two of the world’s largest oceans, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. In case you guessed that the nation is house to many fabulous seashores on each coasts, you’d be proper!
30. Don’t Drink The Faucet Water!
As is the case in lots of areas of Central and South America, the faucet water isn’t protected to drink. Fortuitously, bottled water is on the market in every single place and most resorts supply filtered water at no additional value.
There are measures you may apply to keep away from getting sick resembling avoiding drinks with ice cubes and never consuming fruit and greens which can be washed in faucet water. It’s even suggested that vacationers use bottled water when brushing their enamel.
31. Agriculture is Large in Guatemala
Agriculture is a large a part of life in Guatemala with many individuals making a residing off the land. Espresso is the most-known export however bananas and sugar are additionally thought-about predominant merchandise which can be used each domestically and exported to different nations.
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