The existence, past and present, in this territory of the Maya people, of which Guatemalans are considered direct descendants, manifests itself in various ways: the vibrant traditional clothing still widely worn today is just one aspect of “cultural resistance.”
In this region, colonialism did not take root as it did in other Latin American and Central American countries: although Spanish is the official language, the population speaks several dialects; the very name Guatemala derives from “Goathemala“, a Maya word that translates to “land of trees.”
A country, therefore, whose millennial history heroically resisted savage colonialism and the more recent 30 years of civil war. A strong and rooted people, whose rich folklore and history is tangible in places like the market of Chichicastenango, among marimba players and local handmade crafts stalls, absolutely worth visiting, or the Tikal Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the prime example of imposing Maya architecture with its temples of unparalleled beauty.
Not to be forgotten is Guatemala La Antigua, also declared a World Heritage Site: charming Baroque-style churches sculpt the streets of the city which comes alive during Holy Week with the celebration of characteristic Christian religious rites. The Guatemalan territory is dotted with volcanoes and wonderful lake landscapes, the Lake Atitlán is undoubtedly the best example. A predominantly mountainous region, there are also flat areas with a tropical climate where the lush and uncontaminated jungle, still a refuge for the local Indigenous people, constitutes an invaluable biological and anthropological treasure.
The profile of Guatemala
- Country: Guatemala
- Area: 108,809 km²
- Capital: Guatemala City
- Population: 14,655,189 inhabitants
- Language: Spanish
- Religion: majority Catholic, about 40% Protestant, 1% Maya religion
- Form of government: Presidential Republic
- Major cities: Guatemala City, Mixco, Villa Nueva, San Juan Sacatepéquez, San Pedro Carchá
Useful information about Guatemala
- Currency: quetzal
- International dialing code: +502
- International license plate: GCA
- Driving side: right
- Entry documents: passport
- Required vaccination: the health situation is one of the most precarious in Latin America. The main problems are related to nutrition, the spread of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Adequate medical care is guaranteed only in the capital. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B and antimalarial prophylaxis are recommended, after medical advice, for those traveling to the northern zone of the country.
- Time zones: -7 (compared to Italy)
- Climate: with tropical tendencies, it varies in different areas of the country. Dry winter and rainy summer
- Average temperatures: between 21° and 27° C, in the highlands and plateaus the climate is milder from 10° to 16° C
- Ports: Puerto Barrios, San José, Champerico on the Pacific coast, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Santo Tomas de Castilla on the Caribbean coast.
- Airports: There are no direct connections with Italy. The Spanish airline “Iberia” operates a direct flight Guatemala-Madrid. Other European airlines have stops in Europe, the United States, and Mexico.
