10 Cool Facts

About Guatemala

1.

The word Guatemala, literally translates into English, "Land of the Trees (or forests)."

2.

Today, more than half of Guatemalans are descendants of the indigenous Maya peoples.

3.

Tikal, in northern Guatemala, has 3,000 Maya buildings dating from 600 B.C. to A.D. 900.s.

4.

Guatemala is the size of Tennessee.

5.

Guatemala consists of three main regions: the cool highlands with the heaviest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén).

6.

The largest city and capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City with approximately 1.1 million residents.

7.

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. There are also a number of indigenous languages spoken in the country that include twenty-one Mayan languages.

8.

Guatemala has 33 identified volcanoes.

9.

Independence Day (15 September) and the day of the national patron saint, María (15 August), are the most important national holidays.

 

 

10.

Corn made into tortillas or tamales, black beans, rice, and wheat in the form of bread or pasta are staples eaten by nearly all Guatemalans.