Guatemala, The Country of Eternal Spring
Facts about Guatemala
Official Name: República de Guatemala
Republic of Guatemala
Capital: Guatemala City
Population (2002): 11,237,196 (INE)
Size: 108,890 sq. Km. 42,043 sq. miles
Official Language: Spanish, and 22 other mayan, xinca and garifuna languages are spoken
Guatemala is divided in 22 departments (departamentos)
Currency: Quetzal Official Dollar Currency Exchange Here
Independence Day: September 15th of 1821
Official time: -6 GMT
Nobel Price Winners:
Peace (1992): Rigoberta Menchú
Literature(1967): Miguel Angel Asturias
Sports: Football, also known as Soccer
Personalities:
Ricardo Arjona, Singer
Carlos "Goldfish" Ruíz, MLS Player
Religion: Catholic, Protestant and Mayan
Guatemala Exports: Coffee, Sugar, Banana
Weather: Spring all year long!
Guatemala
Guatemala is the most populated country in Central America. It has the most diverse places and people. Great Five Star Hotels, nature, adventure, national and theme parks and a lot more. It is famous for it's coffee, one of the best of world, for its handcrafts, for its people and also for some not so nice things. Guatemala is one the most important destinations in the region for investments, travel, adventure, children adoptions and many things more. Now the the adoption of the CAFTA or Central American Free Trade Agreement many new opportunities will be open both for investing in the country, and for importing goods from here.
Where is it?
Guatemala is located in Central America, Just below Mexico. It has borders with El Salvador and Honduras to the east and with Mexico to the north and west. Belize border is on the northeast. Pacific Ocean is located in the south. If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, Guatemala can be part of your adventure, as is located an hour away, and many travel packages can be arranged from there.
Guatemala has a great weather all year round, that is why we call our country "The Land of Eternal Spring". In actually have we have two season, the dry season (from mid August thru April) and the wet season (from May to mid August).
You can find direct flights from Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, Mexico City, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Madrid and some other important cities around the globe. So, from many places in North America you are less than three hours away from the great adventure of a lifetime.
What to do ?
Guatemala has many things for different people. Here you can visit Mayan ruins thousands of years old like Tikal; Colonial cities hundreds of year old like Antigua Guatemala, do water rafting in rivers like Caabon River, volcano climbing in volcanoes like Pacaya (usually active) or Agua, with a great view to Antigua Guatemala, diving in the Caribbean, sailing in Lago de Izabal, sight viewing and great adventures in places like Lake Atitlán, handcrafts shopping in places like Chichicastenango, also known as Chichi, and many things more.
Additionally there are a some attractions for children like great water parks, ecological parks, a theme park, and a lot more for the adventure of your life in Guatemala.
Guatemala has also great shopping malls with products from all over the world.
Where to go?
Guatemala has many interesting places to visit. Guatemala City is a modern city. Antigua Guatemala, just 30 minutes from Guatemala City is a beautiful colonial town. Panajachel, known also as Pana, located at the side of Lake Atitlán or just Ati, one of the nicest lakes in the world, and Chichicastenango, a town full of tradition, with the biggest market in the region, are less than 3 hours away. Not to forget Tikal, the most important Mayan site and maybe the most famous place of Guatemala.