1. Land of Eternal Spring
Guatemala is often referred to as the "Land of Eternal Spring" due to its pleasant year-round weather. The country enjoys a constant moderate climate, with temperatures averaging between 60°F-80°F.
2. Abundance of Volcanoes
Guatemala has about 37 volcanoes, 3 of which are still active, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world. Two of its popular active volcanoes are Volcán de Fuego and Volcán de Pacaya which are noted for regularly spewing ash into the sky.
3. Home of the Quetzal
The Quetzal, which is known for its beautiful emerald green plumage, is the national bird of Guatemala. Its currency unit also carries the same name. Interestingly, it is strictly against the law to kill a Quetzal in Guatemala.
4. Massive Mayan Population
Guatemala is home to a significant population of Indigenous peoples, majority of them being Mayan. There are twenty-one distinct Mayan communities in Guatemala, making up more than half of the country’s population. Each group has its own language, culture, and traditions.
5. The Guatemalan Sinkhole Mystery
In 2010, a massive sinkhole appeared within the city of Guatemala, swallowing an entire three-story building. This sinkhole was caused by tropical storm Agatha’s heavy rainwater penetrating the pumice fill (subsurface created from past volcanic eruptions), dissolving the rock and creating voids.
6. A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The ancient city of Antigua Guatemala was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It is famous for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque-influenced architecture as well as a number of ruins of colonial churches.
7. Famously Colorful Graves
Guatemalans celebrate death rather than mourn it. One way they manifest this cultural belief is by painting the graves in their cemeteries in bright, cheerful colors, which is highly unique when compared to the traditionally somber grave sites in many other cultures.
8. A Country Rich In Jade
Guatemala is known for being a significant source of jade. Along with Myanmar and Japan, Guatemala is one of the few known sources of quality jade in the world.
9. The Birthplace of Chocolate
Believe it or not, historians credit the ancient Mayans from Guatemala with being the first to discover the countless virtues of chocolate. The Mayans worshipped the cacao tree and used cacao seeds as currency.
10. Longest Female Head of State Tenure in the Americas
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro, who served as the president of Guatemala from 1996 to 2008, holds the record for the longest tenure of any woman head of state in the Americas.
11. A Festive Christmas Tradition
In Guatemala, Christmas is marked with a unique tradition known as "La Quema del Diablo" or "The Burning of the Devil." On December 7th each year, Guatemalans burn effigies of the devil, symbolically cleansing their homes of evil spirits.
12. Home to the Largest Collection of UNESCO-recognized Delta Cultural Heritage Art Forms
Guatemala has the largest collection of UNESCO-recognized delta cultural heritage art forms in the world, including the Rabinal Achà dance drama, the marimba music, and the sawdust carpets of Semana Santa.
13. World Renowned Coffee
Guatemala produces some of the best coffee in the world, largely due to the fertile volcanic soil and the unique climatic conditions within the country, which provide ideal conditions for the growth of the Arabica coffee bean.
14. Unique Traditional Dress
The traditional dress in Guatemala, known as traje, is still widely worn throughout the country. Each of the country's many indigenous groups has its own specific style and pattern of traje, making it possible to identify a person's ethnicity and community based on their attire.
15. Tallest Mayan Structure
Located in the north of Guatemala, Tikal National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site prominent for hosting the ruins of an ancient Mayan city. Within the ruins stands the Temple IV - the tallest pre-Columbian structure in the Americas, rising to a height of 70 meters.
16. A Country of Many Languages
Although Spanish is the official language, it is estimated that 21 Mayan languages, two non-Mayan Amerindian languages, and one Arawakan (Garifuna) language are also spoken in Guatemala.
17. The Blue Pools of Semuc Champey
Semuc Champey, a natural monument in Guatemala, is renowned for its limestone bridge which has a series of turquoise-colored pools on top and river waterfall running underneath. It's a must-see natural beauty.
18. Unique New Year Tradition
Guatemalans celebrate the New Year by carrying empty suitcases around the block. This unique tradition is believed to ensure safe travels in the upcoming year.
19. The Country's Nickname
Aside from "Land of Eternal Spring", Guatemala is also called the "Country of Trees" due to its incredibly lush vegetation, driven by its rich biodiversity and climatic conditions.
20. The Role of Women Weavers
Guatemalan women have maintained the ancient art of weaving, passing it down through generations. They are known to create colorful textiles, which are then used in making traditional clothing, carpets, and more. In fact, weaving is so significant it’s protected under Guatemalan law which declares it part of the country's intangible cultural heritage.