Coffee beans being harvested in Guatemala. 1960-1996 - Civil war begins after a far-left guerrilla movement, inspired by the Cuban revolution, emerges and is promptly followed by a far-right counter-guerrilla movement. The people of the village forbade anyone from eating the fruit. All the instructors have been great!, Your email address will not be published. Oh, the beauty of Guatemalas volcanoes. While youre distracted, another accomplice may get to your bag or pocket and rob you of your valuables. Despite having one of the most popular tourist destination and heritage sites housed in this region, Peten Department remains to be one of the Guatemalan departments that have a high crime rate. 1970s - Military rulers embark on a programme to eliminate left-wingers, resulting in at least 50,000 deaths. It also tends to become overloaded, with most busses being piloted by reckless drivers. Any tourist roaming around at night becomes easy prey for these criminals, and you do not want to become one. Today we're sharing some of our favorite spooky Guatemalan legends: as told by Multicolores artists, illustrated in stitches. 2004 December - UN mission, set up to monitor post-civil war peace process, winds up, but the UN says Guatemala still suffers from crime, social injustice, human rights violations. But the country is also home to speakers of around 21 different Mayan languages, two indigenous languages. They had an accurate numerical system, developed precise calendars, invented rubber, and created a ballgame thats essentially the forefather of soccer! 6. Additionally, security personnel and local authorities here do not have enough resources to fight his. The new regime is marked by repression and the emergence of the first death squads. Do you like chocolate bars? Archeological finds suggest that the region was inhabited by humans as far back as 20,000 years ago. Its home to many heritage sites and natural wonders that many globetrotters long to see. To this day, people say they can hear wailing for her children. So, to give you some insider tips, weve curated a bunch of surprising and curiosity-inducing Guatemala facts. Travelers are targeted by criminals in the country usually for their perceived wealth, and these crimes can happen both in the city and along hiking trails. With the population reaching 17.58 million in 2019, it currently stands as the country with the biggest population in Central America. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Scary Facts to Make Your Skin Crawl 1. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. Required fields are marked *, With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. If you want to experience a different culture and get a glimpse of days past, Guatemala should be one of the many countries on your bucket list. In a place where you most likely dont have any friends or acquaintances, knowing how to contact officials who can help you definitely puts your mind at ease. It is part of the mountain range of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, which begins in Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas. 2020 November - Protestors burn the Congress building after clashes with police, following public anger at a budget that opponents say neglects poverty. guatemala didnt create the first ever chocalate bar Joseph fry did in britian, I love all the facts about Guatemala all the culture, and how the Mayans still live there to this day I will need to visit one day which would be awesome that is all i would like to say. Hundreds of people died and over 4,000 displaced when the volcano erupted twice within six months. They call chocolate the food of the Gods. 1821-47 - Following the end of Spanish rule, Guatemala becomes part of Agustn de Iturbide's First Mexican Empire, then part of the United Provinces of Central America - later the Federal Republic of Central America. Most public buses are just repurposed school buses that are old and unmaintained. Guatemala is the home of the Maya civilization. Guatemala is one of the 21 countries where Spanish is an official language. And they believe that chocolate holds incredible nutritional benefits, like reducing blood pressure. (Source: Britannica), 18. Guatemala Has The Deepest Lake In Central America -. The Guatemalan security forces that murdered thousands of civilians were trained and equipped by the USA. He wrote a book based on Guatemalan myths and legends called Leyendas de Guatemala (Legends of Guatemala). 1982 - General Efrain Rios Montt takes power in a military coup. 1963 - Colonel Enrique Peralta becomes president following the assassination of Castillo. They were versed in astronomy and used cacao as currency. Within these ruins, you can find five towering temples among about 3000 smaller structures that serve as remnants of this once bustling Mayan settlement. The quality of coffee grown in Guatemala is the result and combination of the countrys microclimates, altitude, quality of soil, amount of rain, access to sunlight, and cultivation methods. A shocking legend about him says when the village men would head off to work,Maximn slept with all of their wives! They account for over $2 billion and 20% of Guatemalas total exports. Many of them are lakes, such as the famous Lake Atitlan. (Source: World Bank), 22. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Intrepid Travel is committed to using travel as a force for good. A UN probe clears Mr Colom. (Source: CNN), 24. 1963 - Elected president Gen Miguel Ydigoras Fuentes is overthrown. The insane number of volcanoes in Guatemala is surely enough to put it on the map. Major roads and highways in the area are also deemed unsafe. 2007 November - Alvaro Colom of centre-left National Unity of Hope Party wins presidential elections with nearly 53 percent of the vote. The country is a major corridor for smuggling drugs. 2012 March - President Perez Molina proposes decriminalising drugs as a way of combating the illegal narcotics trade. Dennis Asturias, one of Intrepids local leaders in Guatemala, shares a snippet of his experience on the hike: Once at the base of the volcano, you have the opportunity to roast some marshmallows in a pit to celebrate all that effort you put in for climbing this active volcano. Your life is more valuable than whatever material thing theyre trying to get from you. The long-tailed bird lives largely in cloud forest. If you are lucky, you can even roast them over molten rock. Only slightly larger than the U.S. state of Tennessee, Guatemala is a mountainous country with one-third of the population living in cool highland villages. So, if you need to withdraw additional cash, its best to do it using ATMs found inside banks. Many Maya women are crafty textile producers. Coffee becomes important economically for Guatemala. However, while these warnings can sometimes be intimidating and scary, it doesnt erase the fact that you can still travel to Guatemala safely. Arbenz resigns after the army refuses to fight. Lake Atitln in southwestern Guatemala is the deepest lake in Central America. The coffee museum is set in an old mill and visitors are provided explanations of the history, processing, marketing and brewing of coffee. 1993 - Serrano forced to resign after his attempt to impose an authoritarian regime ignites a wave of protests; Ramiro de Leon Carpio elected president by the legislature. Guatemalan culture and geography offer such an incredible amount of variety. 1996 - Alvaro Arzu is elected president, conducts a purge of senior military officers and signs a peace agreement with rebels, ending 36 years of civil war. The coastal lowlands are warm and humid. On a visit you can buy your own precious stones from the jewelry stores around Antigua. 1839 - Guatemala becomes fully independent. When you do plan your trips, however, always give due diligence and do some research beforehand. By doing so, youll be able to coordinate with establishments in your destination beforehand to make sure every activity is safe and away from danger. And Guatemala is actually a leader in blue denim production. Guatemala is still trying to come to terms with a 36-year-long civil war. There was once a man, a wandering peach seller, who went down to the cemetery to sell his peaches. He was the second Latin American author to win the Nobel; Chilean Gabriela Mistral won it in 1945. (Source: Lonely Planet), 16. However, its also a place where travelers need to observe increased caution when visiting. One of the dead offered him a place to stay, and he accepted. And they do so, with good reason: they want tourists to be safe at all times. 1995 - Rebels declare a ceasefire; UN and US criticise Guatemala for widespread human rights abuses. One of the best travel safety tips anyone can give you when youre heading to Guatemala is to never roam around the streets at night. Instead of coming to Peten via public land transportation on major roads and highways around the region, tourists should fly directly to the Flores Airport, if they are able to. 2. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. The ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tikal in Guatemala is one of the major sites of Mayan civilization and was inhabited for 16 centuries from the 6th century BC to the 10th century AD. Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, MasterChef Australia host Jock Zonfrillo dies, Air strikes pound Sudan capital as truce extended. 1951 - Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzman becomes president, continuing Arevalo's reforms. Let's start with arguably the most important thing Guatemala has given us - chocolate. Interesting article. Armed attacks can occur in these border areas, mostly as a product of drug-related crime. Since its independence, Guatemala has gone through two revolutions, several dictatorships, a US-backed intervention, a long civil war, many military coups, and 22 earthquakes. They were also prolific artists. It doesnt matter if its a country with higher risk like Guatemala or a much safer country in another continent, you must follow this travel tip. Nearly 93% of Guatemalans speak Spanish. And when there, be sure to visitChocoMuseo, a museum thatll teach you about its history and nutritional values. Did this woman die because her genitals were cut? By knowing all the possibilities, you can expect them or do everything to make sure you lessen your chances of encountering such possibilities. When cats go out at night to prowl, meowing and yowling as they walk along the rooflines, they are warning spirits away. The older I get the more I am able to appreciate this beautiful country. 2018 April - Guatemalans vote in a referendum in favour of referring a two-centuries-old border dispute with what is now Belize to the International Court of Justice. The place where Guatemala stands today is part of a large area in the continent where the Mayan Civilization flourished. 1844-65 - Guatemala ruled by conservative dictator Rafael Carrera. 900s - Widespread political collapse sees warfare, cities being abandoned and a northward shift of population. He carried a hatchet and would cut off the head of any person he happened upon in the dark streets. The dominance of an Indian culture within its interior uplands distinguishes Guatemala from its Central American neighbours. Of these, the most noteworthy volcano is Tajumulco. I am Guatemalan and the country is so beautiful but it can be a bit dangerous so please be careful. Is climate change killing Australian wine? The instant coffee process was invented in Guatemala by George Washington, an inventor, and businessman of Anglo-Belgian origin. Two hundred years ago, on September 15, 1821, fifteen men signed the Act of Independence of Central America, which proclaimed the independence of Central America from the Spanish Empire. Today, Guatemala is a mass producer and exporter of chocolate products. When traveling to a Guatemalan destination, be it inside a major town or city or along a trail on the side of an active volcano, avoid displaying your valuables at all costs. Russia launches pre-dawn missile attack on Ukraine, Explosion derails train in Russian border region. (Source: BBC News), 5. 2003 - Guatemala - along with Nicaragua, El Salvador and Honduras - agrees on a free-trade agreement with the US. embroidery, Folklore, ghost stories, ghost story, Guatemalan culture, Halloween, legend, myth, Santiago Atitln, story cloth. At La Azotea, you can visit the coffee museum as well the music museum. About 2 km away from the main plaza in Antigua is a place called La Azotea. Whats great about Lake Atitlan is, first, its location, as the lace sits right in between three stunning volcanos. Check it out to discover more about Guatemala and its culture. The Guatemala coat of arms features the national bird, a scroll containing the date of Central American independence, a wreath and crossed rifles and sabres. But, compared to its neighbors in Central America (were looking at you, Costa Rica), this beautiful country remains pretty under the radar. (Source:Complete Flags of the World. Whether you trek by foot or take a horse ride up, the view from the top of Pacaya is simply spectacular. Guatemalan culture is rich with legends and myths, passed from generation to generation, full of vivid images and imagination. If you can, only trust taxis you can book through the airport or your hotel and make sure that theyre deemed safe. As such the country has suffered from major earthquakes in 1917, 1918 and 1976. Riding Guatemalas public transit is a thrilling ride. 1523-24 - Spanish adventurer Pedro de Alvarado defeats the indigenous Maya and turns Guatemala into a Spanish colony.
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