What Is Guatemala Known For?
Guatemala is the northernmost country in Central America, easily located by its border with Mexico. Like many Central American nations, its history and culture were deeply shaped by colonization. As such, you’ll find both indigenous and Spanish influences throughout Guatemalan life, including many traditions stemming from the country’s Mayan heritage.
So, what exactly is Guatemala known for?
Temple of the Great Jaguar in Tikal
Mayan Ruins - The most famous of the Mayan ruins located in Guatemala is Tikal. It is also the main tourist attraction in the entire country. Tikal is located deep in the Guatemalan jungle, an ancient kingdom seemingly lost to time. There are also other ruins you can visit throughout the country, but some are more difficult to access. According to History.com, the earliest Maya settlements date to around 1800 B.C., or the beginning of what is called the Preclassic or Formative Period and by A.D. 900, Maya civilization had collapsed.
Coffee - Due to Guatemala’s tropical climate and rich soil, the coffee grown here is some of the best-tasting in the world. There are seven distinct types of Arabica coffee grown in Guatemala and it is one of the country’s main exports.
Dani with Hope Renewed’s 2020 Coffee Crop!
HRI harvested over 1000lbs of coffee beans which totaled 145lbs of roasted coffee ready to sell! Read more in our blog post: Coffee and Community of Hope in Atitlán
Jade - Guatemala is known for its beautiful jade jewelry, a tradition stemming back to Mayan times. Guatemala is one of the leading sources of jade in the world and offers many different colors of the ornamental mineral. mineral.
Marimba music - The marimba is a percussion instrument made up of wooden bars that are struck with mallets to create musical tones, almost like a giant xylophone. An essential part of Guatemalan culture, the first documented use of the marimba comes from Antigua in the 1600s.
Textiles - Guatemala is also known for its colorful textiles, a tradition once again stemming from the country’s Mayan heritage. Brightly colored yarn is woven into all kinds of clothing, such as dresses, shirts, capes, blouses, skirts, and even blankets. Hope Renewed’s Hope Center will help women in LaLimonada find jobs in this bustling industry.
Volcanoes - Among the top tourist attractions in Guatemala are various volcanoes scattered throughout the country. Many of these volcanoes are still active and provide breathtaking views for those who enjoy hiking. Hope Renewed’s Community of Hope is located near Volcán Atitlán!
Avocados - Avocados are another of Guatemala’s largest exports. Guatemalan avocados come in many different varieties and Antigua is even rumored to be the birthplace of the avocado.
Chocolate - Guatemala is touted as the birthplace of chocolate and produces some of the finest in the world. The word cacao stems from the Mayan “Ka’kau,” and the Mayans cherished chocolate as an integral food in their society. With nearly 10,000 cacao farms, Guatemala produces almost 11,000 tons of chocolate a year.
While Guatemala is known for many wonderful sounds, sights, and tastes, it is a deeply impoverished country that needs our help. At Hope Renewed International, we’re trying to increase hope and opportunity in Guatemala. Through our work, we’ve learned much about the rich culture and lifestyles of the people of Guatemala. We believe that by improving conditions and providing opportunities, Guatemalans can develop their God-given abilities and improve their communities. Guatemala is an amazing country and we need your help to make it even better, so find out how you can get involved today!