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By Andy9696down –

15 Best Things To Know About Guatemala

Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered to the north and west by Mexico, which has a population of about 17.6 million people. Spanish is the national language. It is home to diverse cultures and languages and beautiful archaeological sites, volcanoes, and natural landscapes.

Guatemala has a good economy that largely depends on agriculture and tourism. They are known to export coffee, sugar, cons, and many others. It is also known for its vibrant culture, diverse wildlife, and beautiful architecture. It experiences a tropical climate.

1. Guatemala is famous for its Volcanoes

Guatemala is considered the best destination place for observing volcanic eruptions. Guatemala is crossed by a large chain of volcanoes of all sizes. It is recorded that there are over 30 Volcanoes, three of them being active today. They are the backbone of the country since they attract tourists and offer the best views of the country.

The three of these active volcanoes include the Fuego Volcano, Acatenango, and Pacaya volcano. Other than being tourist attraction sites, they serve as a source of energy by providing geothermal power in that region. Mayan people also have a long history of volcanoes in Guatemala since they use them for worshipping.

2. Guatemala is home to several natural beauty

By the pink sip –

Guatemala being a country located in Central America is home to all the natural beauties that one would wish to see which include Lush Rainforests, beaches, diverse wildlife, Cordilleras, rivers natural pools, tropical and dry forests, waterfalls, and volcanoes.

The Mayans’ ruins which are scattered everywhere in the country provide a beautiful look. The landscapes are stunning and have a cultural heritage. And for sure if you are a nature lover then Guatemala is the place to visit.

3. It  has a tropical climate

Guatemala has a tropical climate which has two known seasons; dry and rainy seasons. The dry season starts in November and ends in April while the rainy season starts from May all through to October. The general temperature is warm all through the year and temperatures range from 20 degrees in the highlands. The amount of rainfall keeps on varying and it’s also recorded that Guatemala country frequently experiences hurricanes and storms during the rainy season.

4. Spanish is the official language of Guatemala

In Guatemala, there are 25 Languages spoken. Spanish is the most spoken and yet the official Language. Being an official language, it is used in all government, business activities, and also education. However, there are two Indigenous Languages Garifuna and Xinca, and 22 different Mayan Languages.

5. Guatemala has a diverse population

By chensiyuan –

Guatemala has a population of approximately 17.6 Million people as per the 2020 population census. It is the home of 23 Mayan, Garifuna, Xinca, and Ladino ethnic groups as well as people of German, Spanish, and other Central American heritage.

6. The Guatemala Civil war had a significant impact on the country’s history and culture

The Guatemalan Civil war lasted from 1960 to 1996 and left an indelible mark on the country’s history and culture. The civil war was fought over issues such as land distribution, poverty, and social inequality. The government together with the military of Guatemala fought against a variety of leftist rebel groups resulting in the death of more than 200,000 people and the displacement of more than a million people. It ended when the government and the main guerrilla group signed a peace treaty in 1996. Today the effects of the war are still felt.

 7. It has a rich artistic heritage

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Guatemala has a complex artistic heritage that is said to have been shaped by its culture, history, and people. The country has talented people who create beautiful art with their hands. The artisans create pottery, stunning textiles, and other handicrafts that reflect the nation’s cultural diversity. When you are in Guatemala you can visit the Museum and parks to see all these beautiful artworks and historical artifacts.

The country also has traditional music which ranges from traditional Mayan and Spanish-influenced songs to modern styles. Some traditional styles such as Marimba and Son are things that have made Guatemala famous across and beyond the country.

 8. It is the world’s largest producer of cardamom, a spice used in many cuisines

Guatemala is the world’s largest producer of cardamom with an approximation of more than 350,000 families cultivating the crop and the service of cultivation is estimated to be 63,000 hectares. Ninety percent of the cardamom production is said to be from Central America.  

It is said to be cultivated in the most mountainous parts of Guatemala where it has been planted for a long time. Cardamom serves as a Guatemala cash crop which has contributed positively to the country’s economy and has employed the people of that country.

9. Guatemala is home to many archaeological sites, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Guatemala is widely known for its archaeological sites and rich cultural heritage. Some of these sites include the Tikal, EL Mirador, Yaxha, Quirigua, and Copan. Tikal is the most famous archaeological site which is said to have been once a thriving Mayan city, currently it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tikal features towering pyramids, plazas, palaces, and other ancient structures.

All these archaeological sites give the visitor a glimpse of the interesting history and culture of the Mayan civilization. When you visit Guatemala it is good you visit some of these sites and you will learn the history of Guatemala in general.

10. Lake Atitlan located in the Guatemalan highlands is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world

Many people regard Lake Atitlán as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake is located in Guatemala’s western highlands and is surrounded by spectacular dormant volcanoes and picturesque Mayan villages. Lago Atitlan’s breathtaking natural beauty is what makes it truly special and unique. Furthermore, it has a laid-back atmosphere, a colorful and rich Mayan culture, and an almost perfect climate. Lake Atitlán in Guatemala is easily accessible and only about 3 hours away from Guatemala City. 
However, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy other than the lake’s natural beauty. Some of the activities include taking a private boat to explore the different towns if you want a relaxing and carefree vacation. While sipping a glass of wine, watch the sunset behind the volcanoes from one of the many wooden piers or cafés. Wander the streets of Panajachel looking for beautiful hand-woven souvenirs.

11. Guatemala has a vibrant economy

By chensiyuan –

Guatemala has a vibrant economy with the agricultural sector leading. They mostly export a variety of cash crops which include coffee, sugar, bananas, corn, and Cardamom. However, agriculture is responsible for over a quarter of the country’s GDP followed by the tourism industry.

12. It is  the home to wild animals

Guatemala is home to a range variety of wild animals. Some of the animals you are likely to encounter include the Jaguars, Howler, Monkeys, Pumas, ocelots, Coyotes, and Wolves of Praire among many others. The country also has a high population of birds that is it has approximately 700 species of birds. In the tropical forests of Guatemala, you are likely to see animals such as monkeys and many other mammals.

13. Guatemala is a major producer of coffee

Coffee has been an important economic element for Guatemala since 1850. Even today they export around the world to countries like Europe, Canada, and the United States. It is the second most important agricultural export after sugar.

It has improved the economy of Guatemala since it serves then as an export and has employed thousands of people in the industries and those working on the farms. It is grown in highlands and the means of harvesting is mainly hand- picking mostly by small-scale farmers and later taken to the industries.

14. The currency of Guatemala is the Quetzal

The currency of Guatemala is called Quetzal after a national bird of Guatemala called the Resplendent Quetzal .it said to have been adopted in 1925 and it is divided into 100 centavos. The exchange rate for Quetzal is approximately 7.43 Quetzales per US Dollar. Banknotes come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Quetzales while coins come in denominations of 5,10,25,50 centavos, and 1 Quetzal.

15. It is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries

By chensiyuan –

Guatemala is ranked as the world’s fifth biodiversity hotspot by Parkswatch and the IUCN. However, more than one-third of Guatemala is forested. Hence it has the most biodiverse forest type since almost half of the forests are categorized as primary forests. In addition, according to the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Guatemala has 1246 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. Whereby 6.7% are endemic, that is they only exist in one country and 8.1% are threatened. It also supports at least 8681 vascular plant species, 13.5% of which are endemic.