Guatemala
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Introduction
Guatemala is the best destination for those looking to live an unforgettable
experience full of magic, color and adventure, and those who want to discover
the traditions of a rich culture. Guatemala is known by the hospitality
of its people, the mysticism of its traditions, and the variety of ecosystems,
volcanoes, flora and fauna. Its characterized as the Country of the Eternal
Spring, even more if you experience an encounter with nature and discover
the legacy of the Mayan Civilization in Peten’s tropical jungle, where
you find one of America’s foremost archeological sites. Temples and palaces
rise through the colored vegetation that covered them for centuries. The
variety of destinations allow you to sail across the magic Caribbean or
to visit Antigua Guatemala, which preserves the architectural of a Spanish
city and was declared by UNESCO as Heritage of Mankind for being one of
the world’s most magnificent colonial capitals. And if you like adventure
imagine yourself trekking trough tropical jungles, climbing volcanoes,
and exploring mysterious caves. On the other hand, enjoy the thrill of
water
rafting, an arqueological diving excursion, or admire amazingly
beautiful birds. You can admire a picture contrast between the Colonial
and the neo-Classic architecture with the modern buildings in Guatemala
City. The active and cosmopolitan city has all the first class accommodations
and tourist facilities for any demanding visitor. Come and discover Guatemala!
History
The fishing and farming villages which emerged on Guatemala's Pacific
coast as early as 2000 BC were the forerunners of the great Maya civilization
which dominated Central America for centuries, leaving its enigmatic legacy
of hilltop ruins. By AD 250, the Early Classic Period, great temple cities
were beginning to be built in the Guatemalan highlands, but by the Late
Classic Period (AD 600 to 900) the center of power had moved to the El
Petén lowlands. Following the mysterious collapse of the Maya civilization,
the Itzaes also settled in El Petén, particularly around the present-day
site of Flores.
With a more stable political climate, Guatemala has become an increasingly
popular tourist destination, with much to see and a rich cultural heritage.
Guatemala's many Mayan ruins and colonial buildings are its most impressive
architectural attributes. One of the most intriguing cultural aspects is
the infinite and exotic variety of the handmade, traditional clothing of
Guatemala's Maya population. The design of the women's colorfully embroidered
tunics, capes and skirts dates back to precolonial days. Certain details
of garment and design identify the wearer's group and village, and can
also have multiple religious or magical meanings. Music and traditional
dance also feature in many Mayan religious festivals.
Food
Guatemalan fare is a blend of the Spanish, Indian and European, with
such French specialties as mushroom quiche and profiteroles with ice cream
and chocolate sauce, alongside such native dishes as Chiles Rellenos and
Chicken Pepian, the bird cooked in a pumpkin and sesame seed spicy sauce.
Other typical restaurant dishes include shrimp ceviche, red snapper with
cashews, and mushrooms with garlic. Flan is a justly famous dessert and
hot bananas may come with a chile-spiked chocolate sauce.
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs,
chickens
Guatemala is Central America's westernmost country, bordering Mexico
to the north and west, Belize to the northeast and Honduras and El Salvador
to the east. Guatemala's volatile topography is a mountainous and forested
jumble of volcanoes and jungle. The western highlands are home to over
30 volcanoes, which reach heights of up to 3800m (12,464ft) and cast a
red glow at night. The area experiences frequent earthquake activity. The
intensively cultivated Pacific coastline is a vast expanse of mostly black-sand
beaches, and the tiny Caribbean coastline also lacks beaches but is culturally
rich. The vast jungle lowland of El Petén fills the interior, characterized
by a mix of banana plantations and soils rich in dinosaur bones. Guatemala's
national bird is the quetzal - a gorgeous creature which is almost extinct,
due to deforestation and poachers. Puma, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi and
margay - and their assorted diet of deer, peccary and tapir - survive,
though are seldom seen.
Weather
The dry season, from November through May, is the most pleasant time,
weather-wise, to be in Guatemala. Along with summer holidays, however,
this is also the busiest time. Although the rain may restrict some activities
during the wet season, it's still worthwhile planning your trip for this
time of year, particularly as you'll be more likely to pick up accommodation
bargains. If you're planning to be in the area around Easter, try to be
in Guatemala for Semana
Santa (Holy Week), the highlight of the country's festival calendar.
Area:
42,500 sq. mi.
Population:
12.6 mil
Currency:
Quetzal Language: Spanish & Garifuna,
Mayan
Time:
6 - EDT
Capital:
Guatemala City
Tikal
Featuring the tallest buildings in the Maya world
, Tikal is a magical place of pyramids, temples, observatories, palaces
and ball courts set in 220 square miles of protected rainforest. A short
half hour flight from Guatemala City, it is visited by tens of thousands
of visitors every year who come to marvel at the achievements of the enigmatic
Maya and to see the rainforest species that live around the ruins. The
hill where Tikal stands was first settled by humans in about 600 BC. During
approximatley 1500 years of continuous occupation, the civilization that
developed here attained remarkable achievements in written language, art,
architecture, mathematics, agriculture, astronomy and government. Inscriptions
left on rock monuments, ceramics and wooden lintels tell us a part of Tikal's
complex history, which came to an end at about 900 AD for reasons that
are still not known. A small but excellent book by William Coe explains
the history and architecture of Tikal and contains a detailed map. The
book is available at the visitors center and is highly recommended as a
companion for your tour of the ruins. About three thousand structures have
been mapped in Tikal's enormous central area and visitors may spend hours
or even days exploring the buildings that have been excavated and restored.
The heart of Tikal is the Great Plaza, bounded to one side by the imposing
Temple 1 or Temple of the Giant Jaguar. Built in about 700 AD, Temple 1
towers 145 feet above the plaza and consists of nine steeply sloping terraces.
It faces Temple 2, or the Temple of the Masks, which is 125 feet tall.
In the plaza between these temples stand a number of stelae and alters
bearing dates ranging from 386 to 869 AD.
Government type:
constitutional democratic republic
| Come and Discover the Adventure and History Guatemala has to Offer |
Museums to Visi in Guatemala
National Museum of Popular Arts and Industries
10a Avenida 10-72, Zona 1, Guatemala City
Open: Tue/Fri, 9 to 4:30, Sat/Sun, 10 to 12 & 2 to 4
Ixchel Museum of Indian Costumes
4a Avenida 16-27, Zona 10, Guatemala City
Open: Mon/Sat, 9 to 5:30
Casa K'ojom
Calle de la Recolección, La Antigua Guatemala
Investigation and information center of the traditional Guatemalan
music.
