GUATEMALA
GUATEMALA
The beauty of the Republic of Guatemala makes you stop, stare, and take a break from the chaos of the world. Supposed to have derived from Maya-Toltec language Goathemala, which meant “land of trees”, the name Guatemala sounds nothing like anything you’ve heard, but simply reminiscent of an exotic, faraway land. You’ll find this to be true when Spanish sounds beautifully fill the air and your ears, reminding you that you are far from home. Many theories surround the origin of its name, but beyond hypothesis and suspicion is the fact that Guatemala is much celebrated for unique stories, history, archaeology, culture, beauty and nature- not to mention world-class organic coffee.
GEOGRAPHY
Guatemala (15 30 N, 90 15 W) is a mountainous country in Central America with an area of 108,889 km2 and 3 major regions: the highlands (the mountains); the Pacific coast (south of the highlands); and Petén region (north of the highlands). The coastal plains are narrow hence no natural harbors on the west coast. The people of Guatemala lived in the hilly valleys. Guatemala is bordered by El Salvador and Mexico. The highest point of Guatemala is the Volcan Tajumulco, 4,211 m above sea level – the highest point of all Central America.
CLIMATE
Like most of South America, the Guatemalan climate is tropical while it varies by region. Guatemala has a hot, humid tropical climate in the lowlands, and cold, dry climate in the highlands. With the diversity of the climate, when is best to go depends on where you’re headed, although it is highly discouraged to come during the rainy season (winter) that begin in May, due largely to the mosquitoes it comes with. December through February are the coldest and apropos for a visit to El Petén, while March to April are the hottest and driest months.
PEOPLE
Based on the latest population estimates of the CIA World Factbook, Guatemala will have a population of 14,099,032 by July 2012. Guatemalans are a largely Ladino or mixed Amerindian-Spanish (59%), otherwise known as mestizo. Due as well to Spanish occupation, a small group of Europeans (whites) of 1% of the population exist, mainly of Spanish descent while including as well British, Italian, German, and Scandinavian communities. About 40% of the population are the indigenous people of Guatemala such as Kaqchikel, Mam, Q’eqchi, and other Mayan groups. Civil war has caused a diaspora of about 1.6 million Guatemalans in the US and other countries in Europe and South America.
LANGUAGE
Guatemala has over 55 languages (53 living; 2 extinct). The national and official language of Guatemala is SPANISH albeit not universally spoken, even as a second language. A significant 40% or more of generally indigenous Guatemalans speak MAYAN languages. On the other hand, for the Garifuna in Livingston, GARIFUNA and ENGLISH are the mainly spoken.
RELIGION
Christianity is one of the contributions of the Spaniards to Guatemala, hence the largely Roman Catholic population. Versus the estimated 50% Roman Catholic demographic, Protestants constitute around 40% of the Guatemalan population. A sizeable community of around 140,000 people continue to practice Mayan beliefs.
ATTRACTIONS
The tiny little country that is Guatemala is a hotspot for antiquity. This Central American nation is deeply entrenched in history and culture so much so that a language learner would best learn Spanish right here. The more unknown the town, the further from western influence and, thus, the quicker Spanish will come to you. Fun-wise, from cliff diving in the famous Lake Atitlan in San Marcos or devouring culture and buying traditional cortes or guipil de comalapa in weaver town Salcaja where virtually the entire population are weavers, Guatemala is a raw and authentic destination.
Explore the country further and enjoy it watching volcanoes erupt (also in San Marcos), or spend a couple of quetzals wandering around markets such as one in San Francisco el Alto, generally unknown and barely peopled by tourists. Mix in with the local culture by visiting places that build the foundations of Guatemalan traditions such as coffee plantations in Boca Costa (organic coffee growers), Cobán, or Antigua, all vying for the best coffee in Guatemala. Of course, retreats of the adrenaline sorts to Rio Dulce and Lakes Izabal are good for windsurfing and such.
FOOD
Guatemala is truly a ball not just because Guatemala is a football country, but for another aspect of travel – food culture. Guatemalan-Mexican restaurants in the US misrepresent the Guatemalan half of cuisine, which makes diners incorrectly assume that Guatemalan cuisine has no difference Mexican – not to discourage but disillusion foodies who have grown to love Guatemalan-Mexican cuisine. The similarities do exist, like tamales, but the semblance to Mexican tamales to the Guatemalan variety ends with the name.
The foundation, for instance of Guatemalan cuisine, like most Latin America countries, include corn, beans, rice, cheese, and chillies. In streets, you’ll find grub of mixed tortilla, and in it a spoonful velvety spread of avocado as bed for meats ranging from tocino (bacon), chorizo (sausage), salami, and carne asado (grilled beef), bound altogether with hot, melted cheese. Many foods still ingrained with traditional Mayan cuisine. Otherwise, the traveler can enjoy hotdogs with guacamole called shucos, enchiladas, tacos con carne - the best you’ll ever find. Baked goods like coronas and conchas are carefully crafted and could be deliciously devoured.
Josh Boorman
Editor-in-chief
Backpacking Addictz
Twitter: @backpackaddictz
Backpacking Addictz is a website set up by backpackers for the use of backpackers. On this site you will find a lot of very valuable backpacking information surrounding different destinations and countries from around the world. Also very helpful backpacking tips and travel advice on planning a budget travel and backpacking adventure. You will also find an enthusiastic and insightful backpacking blog which is regularly updated with new posts and article.
Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides are a fantastic, cheap and easy way to get hold of a vast amount of backpacking information prior to setting off on your backpacking adventure.
