BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A country with about thirteen million inhabitants bordered by Mexico to the northeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.
A strong influence on today’s Guatemala by the Mayans, an advanced Indian culture that flourished between 700BC to 900AC is readily noticeable. The Spanish colonists brought their language and religion. The Africans lent the country their music and rhythm. The Mayan ruins of Tikal, the most spectacular, Quiraqua and Aguateca are paramount tourist sites that have been visited by tourists avid of experiencing first hand these amazing works of engineering.
Guatemala City features some old Spain style squares and buildings, namely the Plaza Mayor, the splendid national palace and the twin towered Metropolitan Cathedral. A few museums are scattered along the city.
Antigua is the country’s museum city. It is set amidst 3 magnificent volcanoes and offers an impressive number of baroque churches, museums and markets. Antigua’s locals have combined old Mayan rituals with Catholic celebrations. Antigua is at its peak during the holy week. The procession is a dramatic display of faith and hope.
Other cities worth your visit are Quetztenango the commercial centre of the south western part of the country surrounded by charming villages renowned for their hot springs and handicrafts, and Flores located on an island the Lake Petenitza, near Tikal. Flores is the post card of the area, with red-roofed buildings, narrow cobble stoned streets, old church and Spanish plaza a legacy left by the conquistadors |
