Guatemala Facts And Figures

The name ‘Guatemala’ comes from a word which means ‘a place of many trees’.

As well as Spanish, there are over 20 other Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala.

The Quetzal is also the name of the national bird of Guatemala. In Mayan times the feathers of the Quetzal were used as currency.

Both blue Denim and the chocolate bar were both invented in Guatemala.

Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala.

Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Guatemala and also in Central America. Its depth goes to 340 meters.

Guatemala has 37 volcanos and 3 of them are currently active. The tallest is Tajumulco Volcano which is the highest point in Central America. It is 4203 meters above sea level.

Guatemala has been continuously inhabited for over 20,000 years making it one of the longest continuously-inhabited regions in the world.

Another interesting fact about Guatemala is that the country is famous for its jade, and produces more jade than any other country in the world.

Firing guns into the sky to celebrate Christmas is a Guatemalan tradition. Sadly, the falling bullets kill people every year.