Guatemala… land of tropical forests, abundant and varied vegetation, imposing volcanoes and the most interesting examples of Mayan culture. This Central American nation owes its name to the Nahuatl word Quauhtlemallan, what does it mean place of many trees. The curious facts about Guatemala make us navigate a land rich in natural beauty and land crops. With just over 108 thousand square kilometers, it is the most populated country in Central America, serving as home to more than 16 million people. Today at we wanted to follow the saga of the best curiosities of countriescovering on this occasion the curiosities of Guatemala, introducing a country with a cultural heritage worth admiring. Can you come with us?
The best curious facts about Guatemala that you will love
The curious facts about Guatemala are as abundant as its potential, many of them little known. Among the places to see in Guatemala there are inexhaustible options for all tastes. In Guatemala City, the country’s capital, structures of outstanding architectural beauty are being erected, such as the National Palace of Culture or the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology. Going inland, we find spaces like Lake Atitlán, formed in a huge volcanic crater and surrounded by villages and coffee fields. The city of Antigua or the Tikal National Park, both World Heritage Sites, add to the list of surprising places we find when exploring this exotic country. Let’s discover together the best curiosities of Guatemala.
1. Nature at its best
We open this tour of the curious facts about Guatemala with the unmatched magic of its natural environment. This Central American nation is one of those with the greatest biological diversity. Its natural resources are almost infinite. Not in vain, the name of the country means place of many trees. Only in the Bocas del Polochichabitan Wildlife Refuge, and in the Sierra Las Minas Biosphere Reserve, it is estimated that more than 800 different species live. Among the most beautiful plant species is the so-called White Monja, the Orchid that is considered the national flower. As for fauna, the national bird is the small Quetzal, whose bright red and green feathers are a true charm.
2. Indigenous languages in Guatemala
Although the processes of Spanish conquest and subsequent globalization have had a great effect on the native peoples, in Guatemala they still keep many of their traditions alive. The official language is Spanish, but Twenty-one indigenous languages that were inherited from the Mayan culture remain valid in Guatemalan society. that prevailed in the region centuries ago. Two dialects are also distinguished: Xinca and Garifuna.
3. The composer of the National Anthem was not a Guatemalan
This is one of the most striking curiosities of Guatemala. Generally, the Anthems that are identified as patriotic symbols of nations are usually written and set to music by their own citizens. But this is not the case of Guatemala. The authorship of his National Anthem remained anonymous, until in 1910, the Cuban poet José Joaquín Palma attributed it to him. The lyrics of the musical piece were written in 1887, after a national call had been made to create the anthem of the Republic. It was officially proclaimed in 1897, being set to music by the composer Rafael Álvarez Ovalle.
4. A coin with the name of a bird
Another curious fact about Guatemala is the name of its national currency, which coincides with that of the country’s emblematic bird. Legend has it that the origin of the name is due to the fact that The Mayan ancestors who inhabited the region used the feathers of the Quetzal as currency.
5. The place where instant coffee was born
We already know that Guatemalan lands are ideal for growing coffee. But one of the most interesting curious facts about Guatemala is that it was here where the universally popular instant coffee was invented. The American chemist George Constant Louis Washington was the one who, from this country, invented the first processes to make instant coffee. The exploration trip began in 1906. By 1909, Washington founded the first known brand of this product in Guatemala, which he called Red E Coffee.
6. And the chocolate!
If you count yourself among those who love delicious chocolate, this will be your favorite among the curiosities of Guatemala. It is believed that it was in these lands where the first chocolate bars were invented, that were created during the times of the Mayan culture. Cocoa was a vital product for the Mayans, and its transformation into chocolate was primarily due to the creation of a good to use as currency.
7. A large concentration of ozone
In times when damage to the environment has become a leading issue, this fact is quite interesting. Ozone is one of the most valuable natural resources in the country, and it is It is considered the second nation in the world with the highest concentration of ozone.
If you are one of those who are concerned about this issue, don’t miss: phrases for caring for the environment.
8. The native flavors of Guatemala
We continue on this cultural journey through the curious facts about Guatemala, talking on this occasion about the typical gastronomy of Guatemala. Variety, freshness and many colors define the essence of the Guatemalan table. The consumption of grains, corn and rice, accompanied by fish and meat, is common. They also have a huge variety of fruits, including papayas, mangoes, bananas and pineapples.
9. The deepest lake in Central America
Among the curious facts about Guatemala, many of those linked to regional nature are truly extraordinary. In these lands, specifically in the Sierra Madre mountain range and in the vicinity of the Atitlán volcano, we find a large lake of the same name. This beautiful body of fresh water, which is among the country’s main tourist attractions, It is the deepest lake on the Central American continent, with a maximum depth of 340 meters.
10. A country with more than 30 volcanoes
And we continue exploring the natural wonders of Guatemala, telling you that the geography of this land is rich in volcanoes, which make up the Central American Volcanic Arc. Luckily, only three of them are active: Fuego, Santa María and Pacaya. The Tajumulco and Tacaná volcanoes are the highest in Central America, exceeding four thousand meters in height. Other formations also stand out such as Suchitan, Ixtepeque, Acatenango, Cerro Santiago, Tajumulco, Chingo and Quezaltepeque.
11. See the lava in Guatemala
If you are one of the travelers who are interested in the most curious and impressive expressions of nature, in Guatemala you will be able to see an amazing spectacle. The Pacaya Volcano National Park is subject to frequent volcanic activity, and occasionally erupts with great force. It is the perfect place to see the volcanic lava flow with your own eyes.
12. The division of the country
Another curious fact about Guatemala is the fact that its geographical division is due to its relief. We find three regions in the country: The plains of the Petén region, the highlands of the central region and the coastal plains of the south. If we go to the political aspect, the country is divided into eight regions: metropolitan, northern, northeastern, southeastern, central, southwestern, northwestern and Petén.
13. The famous Topado
And among the native details of good food, we must mention with special attention the Topado. It is the most emblematic dish in the country, so if you visit Guatemala, you cannot stop enjoying it. It is a delicious spicy stew made with fish, cilantro, coconuts and bananas.
14. The importance of agriculture
The service activity and the tertiary sector of the economy are the main economic support of the country. But among the curious facts about Guatemala, we have that agricultural activity continues to be a vital sector. This Central American nation stands out in the production, both for domestic consumption and for export, of items such as bananas, coffee and cardamom. Grains, corn, mango and tobacco are also important.
15. The legend of Maximón
And among the curiosities of Guatemala linked to its popular culture, we find the figure of Maximón, a popular saint who is venerated by the Mayan peoples, and who even participates in some of the Holy Week processions. The legend about this character says that in his youth, The man took advantage of the absence of their husbands, due to their work in the fields, to enter the city and sleep with their wives.. He is represented as a man tied to the vices of tobacco and alcohol.
16. Shots of joy for Christmas
Another of the Guatemalan customs that, despite its negative consequences, has endured over time, is that of celebrating Christmas. It is a tradition in which Guatemalans shoot in the air during Christmas Eve, as a symbol of celebration. Unfortunately, at least five deaths are recorded every year due to stray bullets.
17. Guatemalan beer
And among the richest curious facts about Guatemala, we have that it is a nation with a great beer culture. Beer Rooster It is the most commercial in the country, and has been recognized three times as the best in the world. Also, in recent years a trend has developed towards the production of craft beers. There are interesting proposals in this regard, especially in the regions of Antigua Guatemala and Quetzaltenango.
18. The Picositas
And we continue this journey through the curiosities of Guatemala with a way of preparing beer that is totally native, and that conquers the palates of locals and tourists alike. These are the delicious Picositas, spicy beers with shrimp. They are prepared with a spicy sauce to which onion, chili, tagine and shrimp are added.. A special cocktail for the tropics. The charm, culture and beauty of the Guatemalan land conquers the heart of everyone who dares to explore it.
19. The name of the Capital
Although the capital of the country is known as Guatemala City, its real name is Nueva Guatemala de La Asunción.. This name combines the Nahuatl word with the adoration of the Virgin of the Assumption. It is one of the most populated capitals in Central America.
20. A Mayan city in Guatemala
Another of the curiosities of Guatemala that attracts the most attention is the discovery of an incredible Mayan city located in the Petén region and called Nixtun-Ch’ich. Is about a 2,600-year-old walled city, with amazing truncated pyramids and other monumental structures. The most striking point is a string of fifteen buildings aligned in a straight line in the main ceremonial area.
21. The tradition of burning the bull
Guatemalan culture is full of native traditions and loaded with symbols. The next of…