Guatemalans celebrate their Independence Day on September 15^th, so we took this opportunity to wish a joyful day of celebration to our lovely team members from Guatemala and also to learn some fun and interesting facts about the history, culture and traditions of this Latin American country.

Did you know that?

• Independence Day in Guatemala commemorates the independence of the Central American provinces from Spanish rule on this day in 1821.
• Today, school parades traditionally commence with vibrant processions lined with the white and blue Guatemalan flag. Children perform traditional marimba routines accompanied by customary dances from performers dressed in trajes (costumes of long skirts and colorful lace shirts featuring traditional Mayan designs).
• The territory of modern Guatemala was once the heart of the Maya civilization, which extended across Mesoamerica.
• From 1960 to 1996, Guatemala endured a bloody civil war. Since a United Nations–negotiated peace accord, Guatemala has achieved both economic growth and successful democratic elections.
• Guatemala was the original source for potatoes, corn, chili peppers, and avocados.
• The name Guatemala comes from the Nahuatl word Cuauhtēmallān, or “place of many trees“.
• Unfortunately, Guatemala’s location between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean makes it a target for hurricanes such as Hurricane Mitch in 1998, Hurricane Stan in 2005, or the most recent Hurricane Eta in November 2020.
• Guatemala is mountainous with small patches of desert and sand dunes. From a geographical landscape point of view, the country is divided into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains and the Petén region, north of the mountains.
• Guatemala is abundant in biologically significant and unique ecosystems, the Maya Biosphere Reserve in the department of Petén region being the second-largest forest in Central America.
• Tourist destinations include Mayan archaeological sites (e.g. Tikal in Petén, Quiriguá in Izabal, Iximche in Tecpan Chimaltenango and Guatemala City), natural attractions (e.g. Lake Atitlán and Semuc Champey) and historical sites such as the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, which is recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site.
• A significant number of Guatemalans live outside of their country, with the majority of the Guatemalan diaspora being located in the United States of America. In fact, money remittances from Guatemalans living in United States constitute the largest single source of foreign income.
• Guatemala is a leading exporter of cardamom spice and coffee, but the country is also known for its exports of fruits, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts and cloths.
• Besides the official Spanish language, twenty-one Mayan languages are spoken in Guatemala, as well as two non-Mayan Indigenous languages (Xinca and Garifuna).
• Guatemalan Rigoberta Menchú won the Nobel Peace Prize for fighting oppression of indigenous people in Guatemala and she is also famous for her books.
• The marimba (musical instrument similar to a wooden xylophone) is the national instrument and its music is widely found in Guatemala as it has developed a large repertoire of very attractive pieces that have been popular for more than a century.
• Famous singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona, one of the most successful and best-selling Latin American artists of all time, is from Guatemala.
• Guatemalan cuisine is mainly based on Mayan cuisine and prominently features maize, chilies and black beans as key ingredients. Traditional dishes also include a variety of stews including Kak’ik, made with turkey, garlic, onion, peppermint, coriander and zamat leaves.
• Guatemala is also known for its antojitos (“little cravings”), which include small tamales called chuchitos, fried plantains, and tostadas with tomato sauce, guacamole or black beans.