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Guatemala is known for great ancient Maya archaeological sites, such as Tikal and Quiriguá, which are registred as World Cultural Heritage sites. In this country where traditional culture strongly reamains, indigenous Mayans still live today like in the past. Travelers who set foot in this country are captivated by the appearance of the indigenous women wearing beautiful folk costumes. The sheer existence of these people always wearing their colorful huipils (a sort of tunic) and cortes (a type of skirt) is like art.
The national flag is based on two colors: blue, representing the color of the sky, and white, signifying peace and purity, and it has the national emblem with the national bird quetzal arranged in the center. The quetzal bird is a beautiful, rare wild bird with a bright red abdomen and long feathers with a dark green metallic luster running from the head to the back. It inhabits the highlands, volcanic zone and woodlands of Central America, including Guatemala. (Currently, it is said that it is extremely difficult to find quetzal birds in Guatemala). This bird is said to die as soon as it is caught, making it a symbol of freedom. Further, the quetzal bird is also the origin of the name for the unit of currency "Quetzal", and it is believed to be the model for Osamu Tezukawa's manga "Phoenix".
The population of the Republic of Guatemala is 16.34 million (source: the 2018 cencus), with the capital Guatemala City having a population of 3.35 million.Around 40% of the Guatemalan population is indigenous Maya, and in addition to the official language Spanish, a total of 22 Maya, Xincan, and Garifuna languages.
Prior to the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Guatemala, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino made a visit to Guatemala in October 2014, and 2020 will mark the 85th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Tikal, Kaminaljuyú, Quiriguá and Zaculeu In Guatemala, there are a large number of architecture from the Maya civilization, and you can observe the flow of time. From the archeological sites, such as Tikal, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, it is presumed that the Mayans had a high level of knowledge about prosperity, architecture and astrology. In addition, as in Tawaramoto, many jade ornaments have been excavated from the Mayan remains.
Built in 1943. It is the origin of all roads in the country, like Nihonbashi is in Japan, and is being used for important events such as presidential receptions.
"Antigua" means "old" in Spanish, and as the name implies it is an ancient city that served as the capital of "the Kingdom of Guatemala", which controlled Central America and what is now the Chiapas region in Mexico from 1543 to 1775. After being severly damaged in the huge 1773 earthquake, the capital was moved to what is now Guatemala City in 1775. In the city, colonial buildings such as churches still remain despite several earthquakes.
Surrounded by green mountains such as the Volcán Atitlán (3,537m), Volcán Tolimán (3,158m) and Volcán San Pedro (3,020m), Lake Atitlán is known as the most beautiful volcanic lake in the world.
In the Alta Verapaz Department, there is a natural limestone bridge called Semuc Champei, which is said to be the most beautiful place in Guatemala. At this place, you can experience the nature of Guatemala up close.
Guatemala is a major coffee producing region, and boasts the 9th largest production in the world (as of the 2017 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations statistics). Coffee, sesame seeds and bananas are the export items to Japan, and Japan is the sencond largest export destination for Guatemalan coffee after USA. Guatemalan coffee beans are known worldwide for their high quality. It is also said that the coffee beans especially grown at 1,000m to 1,500m above sea level, where there is a big temperature difference between morning and evening, are delicious as they have a moderate acidity. Guatemala is also a producing center for high-quality rum, and especially the high-class rum "Zapaca" is famous world-wide. Some other local products are the elaborately embroidered indigenous folk costumes called huipils, tablecloths made from Guatemalan fabric and accessory cases.
Guatemala is a major coffee producing region, and boasts the 9th largest production in the world (as of the 2017 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations statistics). Coffee, sesame seeds and bananas are the export items to Japan, and Japan is the sencond largest export destination for Guatemalan coffee after USA.
Guatemalan coffee beans are known worldwide for their high quality. It is also said that the coffee beans especially grown at 1000m to 1500m above sea level, where there is a big temperature difference between morning and evening, are delicious as they have a moderate acidity. Guatemala is also a producing center for high-quality rum, and especially the high-class rum "Zapaca" is famous world-wide.
Some other local products are the elaborately embroidered indigenous folk costumes called huipils, tablecloths made from Guatemalan fabric and accessory cases.
