What are 5 interesting facts about Guatemala?
11 Surprising Cultural Facts You Didn’t Know About Guatemala
- The national bird lends its name to the Guatemalan currency. …
- Guatemala means “land of many trees” …
- It has been inhabited for 20,000 years. …
- 22 languages are spoken in the country. …
- The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954. …
- The Guatemalan Civil War was the longest in Latin American history.
What is a fun fact about Guatemala?
The population of Guatemala today is more than 14 million people. Guatemala is the second-most populated country in both South and Central America. The Guatemalan currency is the Quetzal, and the U.S. dollar is also used. Approximately half of the Guatemalans living today are descendants of the ancient Mayans.
What is Guatemala known for?
Guatemala is best known for its volcanic landscape, fascinating Mayan culture and the colorful colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this small Central American country has a wealth of homegrown produce and talent.
What has Guatemala invented?
Blue denim was first invented in Guatemala. Shortly after their invention, the Levis brand began distributing blue jeans around the world. The Mayans were the first civilization to determine the number zero.
Why Guatemala is so poor?
Guatemala’s poor getting poorer. In Latin America, only Guatemala’s poor are getting even poorer. A new World Bank study says a key reason is that the government collects too few taxes. Low spending leads to poor infrastructure and slow growth.
What food is Guatemala known for?
Corn, beans, rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the backbone of most Guatemalan cuisine. Meat stews (caldos) and soups (sopas) are easily the most popular dishes among locals.
What is Guatemala favorite sport?
Football
Are Guatemalans friendly?
The people are super friendly
The local Guatemalans are some of the friendliest people in all of Central America! … If lost, people are always happy to help and I’ve found that hitching in Guatemala is relatively easy as people are so keen to try and help out travellers.
What language do Guatemala speak?
Spanish
What do people in Guatemala do for fun?
Outdoor sports are main recreational activities. The most popular are white-water rafting near Acatenango Volcano, kayaking on inland Lake Atitlán and along the Pacific coast, spelunking in the limestone labyrinths of the Petén plateau, and volcano climbing and mountain biking in the sierras above Antigua Guatemala.
How safe is Guatemala?
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America, one of the world’s highest homicide rates and a very low arrest and detention rate. Most incidents of violent crime are drug- and gang-related. They occur throughout the country, including in tourist destinations.
Is Guatemala worth visiting?
Guatemala boasts a rich Mayan culture. There are colonial towns full of charm and rainforests full of life. There are ancient ruins, lovely lakes, and rumbling volcanoes. If you like adventure or the pure gratification of traveling off the regular path, Guatemala is worth trying out.
Is Guatemala 3rd world?
A “SAFE” THIRD COUNTRY. Guatemala is a strange choice for a “safe third country.” With an estimated 59 percent of its population living in poverty, it is one of the world’s most unequal countries. Nearly half of children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition, the highest rate in Latin America.
Is English spoken in Guatemala?
English is recognized as a co-official language even in Guatemala, where it is the first tongue of many inhabitants of Izabal Department. But a movement is afoot to make it the second tongue of all educated Guatemalans.