The most interesting facts about Guatemala include a rich Indigenous culture and one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilization.
Fast facts
Official name: Republic of Guatemala
Capital city: Guatemala City
Population: 19.38 million
Area: 108,889 sq km
Major languages: Spanish, Mayan languages
Time zone: UTC-6 (Central Time Zone)
Interesting facts about Guatemala
1. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America – 69th overall.
2. Mayan people were the main indigenous communities of Guatemala. Mayan people make up about 51% of the national population.
3. 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.
4. Guatemala is probably an Indigenous name originating either from the words Quauhtemallan, meaning ‘land of trees’ or Guhatezmalha, meaning ‘mountain of vomiting water’, referring to its volcanic eruptions.
5. Between 1523 and 1524, Spanish explorer Pedro de Alvarado defeated the indigenous Maya and turned Guatemala into a Spanish colony.
6. The Spanish, who ruled over Guatemala until 1821, essentially enslaved the indigenous people of the area and forced them to work on their own land for the benefit of the colonialists.
7. Guatemala was initially absorbed into the Mexican empire following independence from Spain. Then in 1823, Guatemala joined the United Provinces of Central America, which also included Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.
8. The Guatemalan flag is inspired by the flag used by the United Provinces of Central America, which consists of blue-white-blue stripes and a coat of arms in the center. The countries of El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica all use permutations of the design in their flags.
9. The national bird of Guatemala is the quetzal. The long-tailed, rare bird lives largely in cloud forests. However, the quetzal and its habitat are under threat.
10. The Guatemala coat of arms features the national bird, a scroll containing the date of Central American independence, a wreath, and crossed rifles and sabers.
11. The quetzal is also the name of Guatemala’s currency.
12. Guatemala is thought to be one of the first places to invent chocolate. Considered the ‘food of the gods’ by the Mayans, the chocolate-making tradition originated in the Maya world, which encompassed modern-day Guatemala.
13. Even though Spanish is the official language, there are 24 officially recognized indigenous languages in Guatemala. These include 22 Maya languages.
14. Guatemalan Indian rights activist Rigoberta Menchú was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 for her work on the rights of Indigenous people and ethnocultural reconciliation.
15. Guatemala has unique geology resulting from its location on the confluence of three tectonic plates. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes from 6 to 7.5 on the Richter in the 20th century.
16. Guatemala has 22 volcanoes that have been active in the last 10,000 years, of which three are currently active: Pacaya, Fuego and Santiaguito.
17. 2018 saw multiple eruptions of Volcán de Fuego (Volcano of Fire). Hundreds of people died, and over 4,000 were displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months.
18. With an elevation of 4,220m (13,845ft), Volcán Tajumulco in Guatemala is the highest peak in Central America.
19. 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.
20. The conflict saw an estimated 200,000 people killed, with many of the casualties a result of human rights atrocities committed by the government. The Guatemalan security forces that murdered thousands of civilians were trained and equipped by the USA.
21. Mayan people continue to deal with discrimination in Guatemala today. The communities are often excluded by the social, political, economic, and legal systems of the Guatemalan government.
22. Estimates suggest that Guatemala has 250 species of mammals, 600 species of birds, 200 species of reptiles and amphibians, and numerous species of butterflies and insects.
23. Guatemala City is the most populous city in Central America.
24. Antigua was once the capital of Guatemala. However, following a devasting earthquake in 1773, the capital was moved to Guatemala City in 1776. Antigua is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed for its architecture and preserved ruins.
25. Guatemalans fly kites to honor their dead. Every year on All Saints’ Day, the people of Sacatepequez fly giant kites up to 12m in size over the graves of their family members while they pray and lay flowers.
26. Holy Week is one of Guatemala’s most notable events of the year. They celebrate the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ with processions, vigils, home decorations, traditional dishes for the season, and more.
27. Guatemalan cuisine is typically packed with spice and is said to have been heavily influenced by Mayan culture.
28. Bananas and coffee are Guatemala’s biggest exports. They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemala’s total exports.
29. Old American school buses are often refurbished with chrome and an elaborate custom paint job and repurposed as intercity buses in Guatemala. Some are up to 30 years old.
30. Lake Atitlán is Guatemala’s deepest lake in all of Central America, at 1,049 feet (320 meters) deep. On its borders are three volcanoes and several towns.
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Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.