Some say Guatemala is the most diverse country in Central America. Its landscape ranges from active volcanoes and mountains, to gorgeous beaches and coastal towns, to big cities and tiny villages, to lush rain forest and ancient Mayan ruins.
Contents
What is Guatemala best 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.
Why Guatemala is a good country?
Thanks to the clear accent and slow speech patterns, Guatemala is known for being one of the best places in the world to study Spanish. Antigua is considered the real ‘language town’, but Guatemala City and Lake Atitlan also have many well-regarded language schools and courses to suit every schedule and budget.
What is something unique about Guatemala?
Guatemala is famous for its volcanoes
With more than 30 volcanoes in the country, Guatemala is known for its spectacular landscapes. Three of these volcanoes are active, including Fuego Volcano just outside the colonial city of Antigua.
Why is Guatemala a good place to live?
Although compared to Southeast Asia, Guatemala isn’t cheap, it’s definitely affordable and the cost of living is relatively inexpensive compared to the U.S. Imported goods are pricier, but you can live comfortably buying local products and fresh in-season produce from the mercado.
What makes Guatemalan culture unique?
The culture of Guatemala reflects strong Mayan and Spanish influences and continues to be defined as a contrast between poor Mayan villagers in the rural highlands, and the urbanized and relatively wealthy mestizos population (known in Guatemala as ladinos) who occupy the cities and surrounding agricultural plains.
Is Guatemala rich or poor?
Measured by its GDP per capita (US$4,603 in 2020), Guatemala is an upper middle-income country. However, the economic stability and upper middle-income status have not translated to a significant reduction in poverty and inequality.
Why is Guatemala a poor country?
Many depend on farming inherited land as their sole source of income, contributing to cyclical poverty in Guatemala. As 65 percent of the land is controlled by 2.5 percent of farms, land is passed down through families and most consider farming one of their only options.
Is Guatemala a friendly country?
After the decades-long civil war that ended in 1996 but stained the country with a reputation for violence, Guatemala has had a slow political and economic recovery. Throughout the 21st century, it’s grown as a tourist destination, and Guatemalans often extend warm and friendly welcomes to visitors.
Is Guatemala a nice country?
One of Central America’s best-kept secrets, Guatemala captivates travellers with its extraordinary history, culture and landscapes.Whether you’re a first time visitor or are heading back for a second stay, discover why Guatemala is considered one of the most beautiful countries on the planet.
What are 10 facts about Guatemala?
10 Guatemala Facts:
- Spanish is the Official Language of Guatemala.
- Tamajulco is the Highest Peak in Guatemala.
- UNESCO World Heritages Sites in Guatemala.
- The Importance of Agriculture.
- Is Chocolate from Guatemala?
- The Division of Guatemala.
- The Flag of Guatemala.
- Delicious Food in Guatemala.
What are some values in Guatemala?
Guatemalan Culture
Guatemalans value honesty, family, honor, work, and education. Most Guatemalans are gracious and eager to find humor in most situations.
Did Guatemala create chocolate?
Guatemala is touted as the birthplace of chocolate, with the Mayans worshiping the cacao tree and calling chocolate the “food of the gods.” This ancient civilization also revered chocolate for its aphrodisiac qualities, with Moctezuma apparently consuming absurd amounts of the food to enhance his sexual stamina.
Is Guatemala safe to live in?
Despite having a reputation for crime, Guatemala is generally safe to visit right now. Travel warnings and stats don’t always paint a true picture of what it’s like to actually BE in the country. For example, most violent crime is gang-related i.e. only affects locals living in certain areas.
What is life like in Guatemala today?
Guatemala suffers from a serious housing crisis. More than half of citizens have inadequate housing and land rights remain an issue, with around 1 percent of the population owning 60 percent of the land. Many families live in homes with dirt floors with parasites which cause different illnesses.
How safe is Guatemala?
Guatemala has one of the highest violent crime rates in Latin America; there were 4,914 violent deaths in 2018. Although the majority of serious crime involves local gangs, incidents are usually indiscriminate and can occur in tourist areas. Despite the high levels of crime, most visits to Guatemala are trouble-free.
What is the most important tradition in Guatemala?
The most famous celebration in all of Guatemala is Semana Santa—the weeklong observance of Christian Holy Week. The festivities in Antigua are arguably the most impressive in Latin America. Brightly colored carpets of sawdust and flower petals—alfombras—pave the city streets and church floors.
What type of people are Guatemalans?
The overwhelming majority of Guatemalans are the product of varying degrees of admixture between Europeans (predominantly Spaniards) and the Amerindian peoples of Guatemala. Guatemalans are also colloquially nicknamed Chapines in other Spanish-speaking countries of Latin America.
What is Guatemala tradition?
Much like in Spain, Guatemalan people celebrate Christmas, Advent, Three Kings, and Easter as the most important holidays of the year. Additionally, each village and town honors their respective patron saints and other local events annually. Food also plays an important role in most Guatemalan celebrations.
What do you call a girl from Guatemala?
The “official” Spanish word for a person from Guatemala is Guatemalteco but the term is rarely used outside of textbooks. Instead, Chapín refers to a Guatemalan male and Chapina to a female.
Who is rich Guatemala?
Guatemala’s Mario Lopez Estrada (No. 1741) debuted with a $1 billion fortune as he fights for his country’s mobile phone market against the world’s second-richest man Carlos Slim Helu.
