Traveling to Guatemala - 12 Topics You Should Know

Traveling to Guatemala - 12 Topics You Should Know

Him Daily

🇬🇹 1. Founded / Gains Independence

  • Pre-Colonial: Home to the advanced Maya civilization (c. 2000 BC–1697 AD)

  • Spanish Conquest: Began in 1524 under Pedro de Alvarado

  • Independence from Spain: September 15, 1821

  • Full Sovereignty: After leaving the Federal Republic of Central America in 1841, Guatemala became fully independent


🏙️ 2. Capital, Major Cities

  • Capital: Guatemala City — largest city in Central America, ~995,000 in city proper, ~3.7 million metro

  • Major Cities:

    • Mixco (~473K)

    • Villa Nueva (~407K)

    • Quetzaltenango (~132K)

    • Petapa, San Juan Sacatepéquez, Escuintla, Huehuetenango, Antigua Guatemala


💵 3. Currency

  • Currency: Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) — named after the national bird

  • Exchange Rate: ~1 GTQ = $0.13 USD

  • Subunit: 1 quetzal = 100 centavos

  • Introduced: 1925, replacing the peso


📊 4. Economy, Exports, Imports

  • GDP (2025 est.): ~$95 billion

  • Top Exports:

    • Bananas & plantains

    • Coffee, sugar, spices

    • Knit clothing, palm oil, pharmaceuticals

  • Top Imports:

    • Machinery, refined petroleum, vehicles, pharmaceuticals

  • Trade Partners:

    • Exports: U.S. (32%), El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico

    • Imports: U.S., China, Mexico

  • Trade Deficit: ~$17.9 billion


🧑🏫 5. Historic Figures

  • Miguel Ángel Asturias – Nobel Prize-winning author

  • Rigoberta Menchú – Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Indigenous activist

  • Jacobo Árbenz – reformist president overthrown in 1954

  • Carlos Castillo Armas – led CIA-backed coup

  • Oscar Isaac – Hollywood actor born in Guatemala


⚔️ 6. Wars

  • Guatemalan Civil War (1960–1996):

    • Over 200,000 deaths, mostly Indigenous Maya

    • Ended with peace accords in 1996

    • Marked by genocide and U.S. involvement

  • 1954 Coup: U.S.-backed overthrow of Árbenz

  • Other Conflicts: Border tensions, internal unrest, and military coups


🌄 7. Geography

  • Size: ~108,889 km²

  • Terrain: Mountainous highlands, volcanic belts, tropical lowlands

  • Highest Point: Tajumulco Volcano – 4,220 m (13,845 ft)

  • Coastlines: Pacific Ocean (400 km), Caribbean Sea (70 km)

  • Natural Resources: Petroleum, nickel, rare woods, hydropower


👥 8. Current Population

  • 2025 Estimate: ~18.7 million

  • Urbanization: ~56.6%

  • Median Age: ~23.4 years

  • Density: ~174 people/km²


🎶 9. Culture / Music

  • Traditional Instruments: Marimba (national instrument), drums, flutes, ocarinas

  • Genres:

    • Indigenous ceremonial music

    • Marimba-based folk

    • Garifuna punta (Caribbean coast)

    • Bolero, son, vals, and modern rock/pop

  • Notable Artists: Ricardo Arjona, Paco Pérez, Alux Nahual, Carnage (DJ Gordo)


🗣️ 10. Languages

  • Official Language: Spanish (spoken by ~93%)

  • Indigenous Languages: 22 Mayan languages + Garifuna + Xinca

    • Major ones: K’iche’, Q’eqchi’, Mam, Kaqchikel

  • Language Law (2003): Recognizes Indigenous languages as national languages


🍽️ 11. Cuisine

  • Staples: Corn, beans, rice, plantains, chicken, pork

  • Signature Dishes:

    • Pepián – spicy meat stew

    • Kak’ik – turkey soup

    • Tamales, Hilachas, Chiles Rellenos

    • Pupusas, Rellenitos, Fiambre (Day of the Dead salad)

  • Drinks: Coffee, chocolate, atol, horchata


⚽ 12. Sports

  • National Sport: Football (Soccer) — most popular by far

    • Famous players: Carlos Ruiz, Marco Pappa

  • Other Popular Sports:

    • Baseball, Basketball, Kickboxing, VolleyballOutdoor sports: rafting, volcano climbing, surfing, spelunking

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