Is Guatemala an English speaking country? What language do people speak in Guatemala? Where is Guatemala’s capital? What is the tourism in Guatemala like? Where is Guatemala on the map? Is it dangerous to visit Guatemala? Where is Guatemala? Is Guatemala a country or a city? What is the religion of the population in Guatemala? What to do in Guatemala? What is the history of Guatemala?
Introduction
Central American countries are full of history, but not the kind of history we’re used to (Like King X and revolution Y). Although there’s European-style history in this region too, but if you go back through the time, their rituals and beliefs are unique to themselves!
If you are crazy about the Mayan empire, then Guatemala is the right place to visit! Want to know why? Read this post to understand!
Recent History of Guatemala
The Mayan empire was somewhere from southern Mexican states to the northern Central American region, including Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras and, Northern El Salvador.
Back to recent history, Guatemala was under Spain’s control until September 15, 1821. Soon after independence, Mexico invaded it and they had to fight for their freedom again!
The current government is somewhat democratic.
People in Guatemala
Guatemala has more than 7 million Mayans (Also known as Indigenous), making more than %40 of the population. The rest are mostly Ladinos (Hispanic or Mestizo).
They all speak Spanish but Mayans speak their local language as well. Imagine you’re driving throughout a Spanish village and suddenly the language changes to something else! Beautiful, eh?
What to do in Guatemala
Tikal in Guatemala
As mentioned above, Mayan culture is still huge in Guatemala and archaeological sites are everywhere. The most famous one would be Tikal which is one of the largest Mayan sites ever discovered in the middle of a rain forest!
Iglesia de La Merced in Guatemala
Located in Antigua, Guatemala, this Monastery was built in the 17th century and is one of the main tourist attractions of the country, especially during the Holy week when they have a huge decoration for the Lord, Jesus Christ by fruits and vegetables.
Xetulul Theme Park in Guatemala
This Mayans theme park is the third biggest amusement park in Latin America. It is made of two parks and together, they have over 1 million visitors annually!
Plaza de la Constitución in Guatemala
This town square in the middle of the old town of Guatemala city (The capital) has been the beating heart of the country for more than 3 centuries. It had seen tons of protests, concerts, and celebrations since its existence!
Do you have any opinions or recommendations? Share them with us in the comments below.
This is so lovely! I’ve always been very fascinated by ancient cultures especially Mayan culture. I’ve been looking into the possibility of stereotyping within character design, and because I love the Maya culture so much, one of the characters I’ve designed is the Maya Goddess Ix Chel. If you’re interested, have a look at my post on: https://ciennaknights.wordpress.com
I just checked it!
Wow! You’re a very talented artist! Keep up the good work! 😊✌🏼
Brings back memories of our visit to Tikal..it is top of my list of historical sites we saw.
Right. It is perfect! However, my most favorite historical place was Persepolis in Shiraz, Iran. It was fabulous and way underrated!
Thank you for your comment!
Iran is a place we haven’t been. ….not sure if we can go there. ….due to security risk.
There’s no security risk for Iran! It’s only the news! There’s no war in there, nor the lack of security! I’m Canadian and been treated like a celebrity while I was there! Lol
If you search about it on YouTube, you’ll see countless videos of Americans and in general, Westerners who traveled to Iran and loved it like I did!
That’s good news! When I search on the Canadian Government Travel Advisory there are a majority of countries considered unsafe. Otherwise where in world can we go..
I know! I used to check that website more often but after a while I realized that if I want to listen to its advice, I can never leave Vancouver! Lol!
YouTube is a better source (in my opinion) because it’s other people’s first hand experience!
For those interested in visiting Tikal, it is possible to do so from San Ignacio in Belize. Day trips are organized by local agencies. Tikal attracts many visitors, but the site is quite large and the organization is fairly good and efficient.
Great info.
Thank you very much for sharing!
Love it! Thanks
I am into the Mayan culture, but I’ve never been to Guatemala.
I’ll add it to my bucket list
I had no idea Guatemala is this interesting.
Good day! Just wanted to day I love your posts! Keep up the good work!
Great information
Thanks 😊
Thanks for reading it!
Glad to see you here neighbor!
Mayan history is so interesting. It’s fascinating that 40% of the country’s population is indigenous. So different from the United States.
Exactly, but unfortunately, discrimination against them is still happening.
That is unfortunate. Racism is a problem everywhere, apparently.
It is. As long as human exists, it’ll never get solved. We just hide behind beautiful words!
Thank you for sharing. Am going there some day. I always wanted to.
you’re very welcome. I hope you can visit it as soon as possible! It’s a beautiful country.
I’d love to. Thanks.
Love this one!!
Lol back in 2012, my oldest was soooo sure the world was gonna end on Dec 21st 2012 because of the Mayan calendar lol
I kept telling him, no we be fine – people say the world is ending all the time lol … I am used to that by now
But for awhile there all he talked about were the Mayans lol
What rich culture and beautiful land!! Love this one!! ✌️
lol. I remember hearing about Mayans everywhere in 2012. It was a huge deal but now only history, I hope the same thing happen to this fat coronavirus thing!
Hahaha right?! I know! One day it will be… then we will all be missing the down time lol 😄
This is just taking a really loooooooong time lol
lol, I hope not, but you’re probably right! I just came around good old Ebola, remember?
Now we have this monster that makes me wish it was still Ebola! lol
Ugh!!! I know – now Ebola doesn’t sound so bad? Flu? Nothing sounds bad anymore compared this this corona monster
Everyday I hear new horrors about this corona thing… I never imagined
But now we know lol… the will eventually fix – hopefully quickly!! And then we see what’s left cause I’m sure they gonna try to have all kinds of precautions now 🤨 this gonna be a whole thing lol
exactly! I’d rather having fun in my delusional bubble rather getting used to the new normal but that’s how life works!