Guatemala is a small but very beautiful country nestled in the middle of Central America. Its population of 14 million makes it larger than its tiny neighbors. The nation is known for its lush rain forests, rich history and proud culture. A long period of civil war ended in 1996 and the country has been a stable democracy ever since. Following are some interesting facts about this beautiful and remote country.

Ancient History: Archeologists believe that Guatemala was first settled as early as 12,000 BC. The Mayan civilization dominated the area until about 900 AD when the Mayan era ended. It is not known why the civilization declined, but theories include drought, famine, disease or a combination of all three.

Mayan Cities: The ancient Mayans built 26 cities in Guatemala. These cities are connected by ancient highways, some of which were almost 50 yards wide. Several of the larger highways can still be seen from the air today.

Population: Over half of the people are Mestizo (mixed Native American and Spanish). Most of the rest are Mayan or other Native American descendents. While the nation’s official language is Spanish, most of the people speak one of the 21 different ancient Mayan dialects.

Tourism: The countryside is mostly mountainous rain forests. The beautiful, lush jungles are a popular ecotourism destination. Ancient Mayan ruins, including large pyramids, can be explored by the adventurous vacationer. The most notable Mayan structures are 2 large pyramids (Monos and El Tigre). Both Pyramids are about 250,000 cubic yards, or about one fourth the size of the larger Egyptian pyramids.

Sports: The Guatemalan people love their soccer. The Guatemalan teams generally compete in international tournaments and tend to perform very well for a country of its small size. Other popular sports include basketball and baseball.

Drinks: A popular drink is El Bog, sometimes called White Lightning. It is a very strong drink made from sugar cane. If you visit Guatemala, make sure to drink this with great care.

Did you know that: Guatemala is a leading source of chewing gum? Chocolate was invented in this area? The Mayans developed the mathematical concept of zero? Guatemala grow the world’s best coffee beans? Mayan babies do not cry?

Celebrations: The new year is celebrated by wearing new clothes on New Years Day. This is supposed to bring good luck for the entire year. The biggest celebration is Semana Santa held on the Christian Holy Week. It is a religious celebration that lasts most of the week and is characterized by parades, processions and plays.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with much to offer American tourists. It is relatively inexpensive, offers ecotourism, mountain hiking, beautiful beaches and modern resorts. It is quickly becoming a popular vacation destination for many Americans.

Sources: Wikipedia, CIA factbook, Destination360.com