20+ Interesting facts about Guatemala

Guatemala is a small country located in Central America. This country is famous all over the world because of the volcano and the civil war there. The longest civil war in North America has been fought in this country. Let’s know 20+ interesting facts about Guatemala.

Guatemala Means “land Of Many Trees”

Guatemala means the land of trees. Because there is a lot of forest in this country. Mainly three major trees are found in these forests which include rainforest, deciduous forest and montane forest.

The forests of Guatemala are very important for us from the environmental point of view. Along with this, the forests of Guatemala are also very good for the economy there. Wood, rubber and other things are made from these forests. Which is also the business of the local people of Guatemala.

Tourists come in large numbers to see the forests of Guatemala. Because they enjoy seeing natural beauty and wildlife there.

Deepest lake in Central America

The deepest lake of Central America is present in Guatemala. Its depth is 340 meters i.e. 1120 feet. This lake is surrounded by volcanic mountains from all sides. This lake is formed by volcanic eruption. People of many Mayan communities are settled around this lake. The name of this lake is Lake Atitlan. Which is a major tourist destination there today. Here tourists experience the culture of the village settled on the banks of the lake as well as do boat rides and trekking on nearby volcanoes.

Guatemala Is Famous For Its Volcanoes

Guatemala is a country famous for its volcanoes. There are around 37 volcanoes in this country. Volcan Tajikal is the highest volcano in this country. Its height is 4220 meters i.e. 13845 feet.

Guatemala Has 3 Active Volcanoes

Volcan de Fuego, Volcan Pacaya and Volcan Santiaguito are the active volcanoes of Guatemala. Volcan de Fuego is known as the volcano of fire. Its height is 3763 meters i.e. 12346 feet. This volcano regularly has small explosions. Smoke and ash come out of this volcano.

Capital: Guatemala City

Guatemala City is called ciudad de Guatemala in Spanish. This city is the capital of Guatemala as well as the largest city of this country. This city was founded in 1776 after the earthquake in Antigua Guatemala.

Guatemala City is a political, cultural and economic center of Central America. The population of Guatemala City is approximately 2.45 million.

Guatemala Has A Rich Coffee Culture

Guatemala’s coffee culture is quite famous all over the world. Coffee production first started in Guatemala in the 18th century. Because the climate, altitude and fertile soil of this country are suitable for coffee production here. Coffee production is a major part of the economy of this country today.

Population: 16,581,273

The population of Guatemala is approximately 16,581,273. Out of which 56% people live in urban areas. 50% of the people here are young people whose age is less than 19 years. The most spoken language here is Spanish. 43% of the people here belong to the tribal group which includes Maya, Sinka and Garifuna. The languages ​​of these tribals are also different.

Blue denim flourishes in guatemala

The blue denim development and production industry in Guatemala has grown considerably today. It started in this country in the mid-20th century. In the early days, this production was on a small scale but now it is done on a very large scale.

Denim Production Process: Denim production involves several stages

Cotton Cultivation: The cotton crop is prepared and it is picked by hands or machines.

Spinning: Yarn is made from the picked cotton.

Weaving: Fabric is made from the yarn.

Dyeing: The fabric is dyed blue, which gives it the distinctive color of denim.

Finishing: The finished denim is sent for finishing and is converted into various products, such as jeans, jackets, shirts, etc.

Cia Involved In 1954 Coup

The role of the United States agency CIA in the 1954 coup in Guatemala was a very shameful incident. Because in Guatemala, after a popular uprising in 1944, the military dictatorship ended and a democratic government was also established. In 1951, Jacobo Arbens became the President and he implemented many socialist policies like land reform. In which many poor farmers got land. 

Seeing these policies of President Jacobo Arbens, the US government and the CIA saw it as communist influence and decided to remove the government. Later the CIA launched a secret operation called Operation PB Success. In which the CIA gave arms, money and training to many rebels. The coup was started on 18 June 1954. Jacobo Arbens resigned and after that Carlos Castillo Armas took power and established a military dictatorship.

Longest civil war

Guatemala’s civil war lasted from 1960 to 1996. It was the longest and fiercest conflict in the history of this country. This war took place between the Guatemalan government and various leftist rebel groups. During this period, about 2 lakh people were killed. Most of them were from the Mayan community.

The main reason for the conflict was the inequality of land distribution and government repression. In 1954, a US-backed coup established military rule, which resorted to violence to suppress political dissent. Peace agreements were signed at the end of the war. But memories of human rights violations are still alive in Guatemala.

Ancient chocolate

The ancient chocolate making tradition continues in Guatemala today. The ancient Maya community of Guatemala harvested chocolate seeds and used them in their trade and religious rituals.

Ancient chocolate in Guatemala has an interesting and deep history that dates back to the ancient Maya community of Guatemala, who described chocolate as the food of the gods.

Guatemala Share Borders With Four Countries

Guatemala is a country located in Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north of Guatemala, Belize to the east, Honduras to the east and south, and El Salvador to the south.

How many people live in Guatemala?

The current population of Guatemala is around 18,636,532 in 2025. Which is 1.51% larger than in 2024.

The Official Language Is Spanish

The official language of Guatemala is Spanish because Spain ruled this country. About 93% of Guatemalans know the Spanish language. But apart from Spanish, 22 other languages ​​are also spoken in Guatemala, including the indigenous languages ​​Garifuna and Xinka. Which reflects the tradition of the country.

Guatemalans Honor The Dead With Kites

In Guatemala, there is a unique tradition to honor the dead. In which people pay tribute to the dead by flying colorful kites. This tradition is celebrated every year on November 2. Some messages are also written on those kites and those kites are flown.

Guatemala Is A Top Jade Producer

Guatemala is a major producer of jade. Jade mines in Guatemala are mainly located in the Motagua Valley. From the ancient Mayan civilization to the present day, jade has been given special importance in Guatemala. It is not only a precious gemstone but is also seen as a religious and cultural symbol. Guatemala’s jade is known for its beauty and high quality which is also known as Guatemala Imperial Jade. The artisans here have started making various types of jewelry and artifacts from jade. It is now becoming popular not only locally but also internationally.

A Country Of Eternal Spring

Guatemala is called the country of eternal spring. Because the climate and greenery of Guatemala remain here throughout the year. Especially Lake Atitlan of Guatemala is famous for its beauty and biodiversity.

Guatemala Has Two Coastlines

The country of Guatemala has two coastlines. The southwestern part of Guatemala touches the Pacific Ocean while the northeastern part of Guatemala is connected to the Caribbean Sea. Both these coastlines are useful for tourism, fishing and sea trade in this country.

Two Nobel Prize winners

Guatemala has had two Nobel Prize winners, including Rigoberta Menchu, who dedicated her life to defending the rights of indigenous peoples. Menchu ​​founded Guatemala’s first indigenous political party, Vinac.

The other was Miguel Angel Asturias, a writer who gained fame for his book El Sebastro, an anti-dictatorship book.

Tikal National Park is the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tikal National Park is located in the Central American country of Guatemala and is the first mixed UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that the site is recognized not only for its natural importance but also for its cultural importance. This national park is spread over about 575 square kilometers. It has dense trees, districts and some remains of the ancient Mayan city of Tikal.

Some Guatemalans worship a Saint named Maximón

Maximón is venerated as a unique and special saint in Guatemala. He is also known as “San Simón”. His worship is particularly prevalent among the K’iche’ Maya communities of Guatemala.

Old American school buses live their second lives as ‘chicken buses’

Second-hand school buses from the US are used to transport rural and urban people in Guatemala.

The resplendent quetzal is the national bird

The Resplendent Quetzal is famous for its bright green feathers and long, luxurious plumage. The male Quetzal has particularly long and impressive feathers. The bird’s photo is also present on the country’s currency notes.

The United States is Guatemala’s largest trading partner

In 2006, a free trade agreement called CAFTA-DR was signed between Guatemala and America. Guatemala benefited the most from this because any product from Guatemala can be easily sold in United states of America under this agreement.

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