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PictorialArt, Music, &Architecture ofComalapa

Popenoe House, CenterofPopular Art, HandicraftsMarket

NacionesUnidasNationalPark

Agua Volcano

Senderosde AluxEcologicalPark 

Filadelfia Coffee Resort& Spa

KaminalJuyú

 

San Felipe de Jesús

Finca La Sociedad

Comunidad NuevaAlianza

Copavic, GlassBlowingCooperative

Sololá Market

Atitlán Volcano

SanPedro VolcanoEcologicalPark

Historic centerofQuetzaltenango (Xela)

Helvetia Milland Casa Xara

ElRetiro Fincaand Lodge  

FuentesGeorginas   

MarketofSanFrancisco ElAlto

Mixco Viejo

TolimánVolcano

SanJuan Comalapa

AcatenangoVolcano

Fuego Volcano

GiantKite Festival

GiantKite Festival

Dayof the HolyCrossand Assumption Dayin

Laguna Chicabal

Celebrationof Maximón San SimónFestival

Historic CenterFestival

Festivalofthe RosaryVirginCelebration ofthe

Virgin ofGuadalupe

FestivaloftheRosaryVirgin

    

 

   

     

     

     

IRTRAComplex Finca Santa Elena

Tzununá andJaibalito

ChuiraxamolóEcologicalPark

   

 

     

   

       

   

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MulticulturalMuseumof Livingston

Finca Tatín

Finca ElParaíso 

RÍODULCENATIONALPARK CERROSAN GIL

PROTECTEDSPRINGRESERVE

CaxlampónCaves(Pek KololCaves)

ElBoquerón

Releb HaCommunityReserve

Lagunita CreekBiologicalStationRÍOSARSTÚN

MULTIPLE USE AREAPlaya Blanca   

Punta de Palma 

Garinagu orGarífuna Festival

 

Guatemala

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geo.tour.ism(n):Tourism

thatsustainsorenhancesthegeographicalcharacterofa

place—itsenvironment, culture,aesthetics,heritage, andthe

well-beingof itsresidents.    C   O   F   F   E   E   P   I   C   K   I   N   G   A   T   F   I   N   C   A   H   U   I   X   O   C

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 Someboundariesshown arenot necessarily thoserecognized by the National Geographic Society but reflect legal requirementsof the

Republic of Guatemala.

                  

   

   

 

   L   I   V   I   N   G   M   A   Y   A   C   U   L   T   U   R   E

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   I   N   G   U   A   T

  GARÍFUNA GIRLS,LIVINGSTON,IZABALGUATEMALA TOURISMBOARD -INGUAT

OSCAR PEREM,A TRADITIONAL ARTIST,TOWNOF COMALAPAANA WERREN

   C   O   F   F   E   E   S   H   O   P

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   A   N   A   W   E   R   R   E   N

MAYA AND LADINOGIRLS,ANTIGUA GUATEMALAALEJANDROVÍTOLA

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Produce of the LandThe rainy season—May to October—moistens and revitalizesthe soil. Even though most o the land is alive with nativeorests,the arable portion is ideal or agriculture. Maize,black beans,and tomatoes are the main products grown orlocal consumption,while coee,sugar,bananas,broccoli,and peas head a growing list o exports.

“Sixty Kaqchikel amilies make their living on this arm.Some grow and process coee or raise ornamental plants;all o them protect our natural areas. They also work intourism as guides,cooks, and bread bakers. Wildlie thrivesbeneath the canopy o shade-grown coee and orest habi-tats,and this attracts visitors. Nature tourism supported bygovernment incentives make it possible to conserve theseorests as a private reserve and still make a living.”

—AndyBurge, owner, Finca Los Tarrales, Suchitepéquez 

Cultivation is also infuenced by geography and climatic con-ditions. People rom dierent regions o the country adaptand diversiy their agricultural practices.

“I am the ourth generation o coee growers in Acatenango,better known as ‘The land o coee.’ Everything I know aboutcoee,I learned rom my amily. We produce it according toclimate and water resources, using knowledge accumulatedthrough the generations. I anyone wants to learn about thecoee process,rom the eld to the cup, he can visit the re-gion during the harvest season—December to mid-March—and he will be received like a amily riend.”

—Enio Pérez, owner, Finca La Soledad, Acatenango

LearningExperiencesThe lesson is about to begin. Pairs o students and teacherssit in a courtyard shaded by fowering trees; no classroomis needed. By the time the students leave,they will know armore than just language.

"A visitor who wants to understand our culture must rstlearn Spanish. Here,students do much more than studyour hours a day. They live the language around the clockby staying with amilies and visiting communities wherethey talk with potters and weavers. They go to religious sitesand meet with spiritual leaders. Students learn to cook,Guatemalan style. A Maya woman teaches them how tomake tortillas,showing them how to prepare the masa—corn four mixed with water—and then pat it thin. This ishow we teach Spanish,and the results are terric."

—Nicolás Tichoc Rodríguez, director, Jardín de América Spanish School, Panajachel 

CreativityClay,paints,leather,wood, and ber are the raw materialsor Guatemalan artisans,whose inspiration comes romtheir surroundings. Nature can be ound in every piece,roma decorated plate showing Lake Atitlán’s landscape to aleather cowboy belt with colorul embroidery. “When I see a bird,I examine the patterns o its eathersand see how it turns its head. When I paint a bird on a cupor a plate,I paint a real bird,but with colors that my ownmind chooses.”  —José Efraín, potter, San Antonio Palopó 

“We want to rescue what our grandmothers knew aboutnatural dyes beore it’s lost orever. Our colors come romplants and minerals,even charcoal. Most weavers today usechemical dyes,which are strong and harsh. Natural colorsare sot,and they are good or the environment. We cultivatethe trees and herbs we need or dyes, so we will alwayshave them.”

—Rosalinda TayMendoza, dyerand weaver, San Juan La Laguna

 

“Our artwork transmits tr aditions described by our elders,such as dances,markets,and rural lie. One o the scenesI like to paint is a Maya dentist pulling a tooth. All o us usedierent styles to portray these scenes. My style is over-head views.”

—Angelina Quic, painter, XokomeelAssociationofMaya Art, San Juan La Laguna

A Green CaribbeanIzabal,one o Guatemala’s important land-and-marine liesanctuaries,is comprised o more than 20 protected areas,the country’s largest lake,as well as rivers and mountains.This area is considered “the green jewel o the Caribbean,”and its preservation is supported by local residents,the na-tional government,and international organizations.

“We are Maya,and nature is truly important to us. We knowwe must care or our fora and auna, and we do. Our primarygoal is to teach our people the importance o protecting theenvironment and strengthen services or the Q’eqchi’. Bydeveloping local art and sustainable tourism,we can abandonpractices that damage nature.”

—Guillermo Pérez, generaladministrator, Ak’ Tenamit Association, Río Dulce NationalPark

Izabal is also the melting pot o a very diverse culture.Garíuna,Ladino,Maya Q‘eqchi’,and Hindu people havecoexisted in this land, enriching local traditions and culturalexpressions.

“A Garíuna is spiritual,cheerul,and charismatic. Our back-ground is a source o pride to us and we have preserved ourculture or more than two centuries. Our distinctive ood,clothes,and traditions have all been maintained. EveryNovember 26,Garíuna Day,we celebrate ourselves and ourroots with social and religious activities.”

—Diana Martínez Leiva, secretary, Women Association Afroamérica XXI, Livingston

Modern Life What to do? When in the city,activities denitely tend to amodern-lie style. Every-day activities may include shopping,ne dining,experiencing lively nightlie,or having a good cupo coee with some riends. And i that is not enough, theschedule can be lled out with theatrical perormances,artcinema,opera,ballet presentations,and contemporary art anddesign exhibitions. Any o Guatemala’s main cities, includingGuatemala City,La Antigua Guatemala,Quetzaltenango,Cobán,and Chiquimula,oer all the urban action,o course, theGuatemalan way.

“The Guatemalan National Theater,known as 'Miguel ÁngelAsturias Cultural Center,' is a masterpiece. Just as its creator,Guatemalan artist Eraín Recinos,conceived it,the build-ing’s shapes and colors naturally integrate to the landscape.There are months when the center holds some 50 events andreceives more than 30,000 visitors. They come to enjoy a widerange o cultural activities such as theater,dance,concerts,and art exhibitions.”

—Ana Rosa Orozco, administrative adviser, MiguelÁngel Asturias CulturalCenter, Guatemala City 

“Since its rst edition in 2007, Luna Park magazine hasbecome a showcase or young artists and writers. We promotecultural events like cinema,music, ne arts,and book presen-tations. Quetzaltenango’s cultural activity includes events suchas the International Poetry Fest, Cinespacio—a space thathas brought cinema to the st reets—and the ‘Gran Teatrito’theater estival.”

—Vania Vargas, director, Luna ParkMagazine, Quetzaltenango

PanajachelStrollthrough theinterpretivenature trailsandbutterfy gardeno AtitlánNaturalReserve.Takeaewmomentsinrontothegrandaçadeo16th-centurySt.FrancisoAssisichurch.Learnaboutthisvolcanic region'shistoryat LakeMuseumoAtitlán.

TecpánGuatemalaStepinto RestaurantKatok,KapéPaulinos,orElPedregalora tasteothecuisinethat makesthis regionamous.

Suban'ikWhenstopping inSan Martí nJilotepequebesuretotry  suban'ik ,a dish traditionallyservedat specialcelebrations.The deepred,stew-likemeal consistso bee,pork,orturkeypreparedinablendotomatoes,spices,and peppers,accompaniedbytamalesandriceandartullypresentedinalargepotteryplate.

IximchéGiveyourselsometimetoexplorethetemples,plazas,andballcourtsothisKaqchikelkingdom capitaloundedin1470.Iximchélaterbecamethecountry'srst Spanish settlementandcapital.

QuetzaltenangoInGuatemala's second-largestcity,alsoknown asXela (pronouncedshay-la),youcanshopatthelivelyLaDemocraciamarket,visit theMunicipalTheater,and Cathedral,andnd weav-ing cooperatives,artexhibits, andlivelocalmusic. Worldamous SpanishSchoolsoerhomestaysanda widevarietyo complementaryactivities.

SanAndrés Xecul Yellowchurch with coloruldecorativemotis,mixtureo Christianimagesandlocalsamplesoforaandauna.Alsovisitthe localMaximon deity.

Chicabal Volcanoand LagoonClimbtothelagoonon thecraterothevolcanoandadmirethecloudorestandlandscapethatsurroundsthispro-tectedareaandsacredMayasite.FortydaysaterEaster,aceremonytoaskorrainis celebrated,although,all throughtheyear,Maya priestsand amiliescelebratetraditionalceremonies withoeringso fowersand othergits.

LaMuelaA challenging hikewith spectacularrockormations andstunning viewsothesurrounding valley.

Relief MapA nearly1,858-square-meter(20,000-square-oot) openair mapoGuatemala,createdin 1905 andbestviewedromthe observationplatorms.

SanPedro SacatepéquezThemarketsoSan PedroandSanJuanSacatepéquez areamong theliveliestonesclose toGuatemala City.Tradingoccurseverydaywith apeakinactivityonweekends. Kaqchikelculturecan beseenatitsbestwhilepeoplebuyandselltextiles,handicratsand especiallytheworldrenowned fowers.

HistoricGuatemalaCityInorder toexperience CentralAmerica’slargestmetropolis,Guatemala City,startatthePlazaMayor,thecity’scentralpark,lledwith localresidents,musicians, andstreetvendors,especially onweekends.Facing thepark isthe MetropolitanCathedral,which containsornate altarsandthe country’soldestChristian image(the“Virgin oPerpetual Help”).

LaAzotea Cultural CenterFamily-ownedsince1883,Finca LaAzoteacoee plantation(on theoutskirtso AntiguaGuatemala) recentlyexpandedto includethe CoeeMuseum,CasaK’ojom MayanMusic Museum,Rincónde Sacatepéquez Museum,andLaRonda EquestrianFacility.Observecoeeprocessing,visit theworkingmill,viewMaya musicalinstruments,learnabout villageliearound AntiguaGuatemala,ortakeahorsebacktourothearm andsurrounding valley. 

ValhallaExperimental StationTheMacadamiatreeisthekeytothissuccessulagribusiness—localresidentsparticipatein sustainableorestryand earnregularincome. Thetree alsoprovidesanutritiousoodsourceandaormorenewableenergy.Tourthearm,trythemacadamiapancakes orchocolates,or getmoreinvolved byvolunteering ora monthormore.

AntiguaGuatemalaAntiguaGuatemala,a UNESCO WorldHeritagesite,isrich inSpanish colonialarchitectureandvibrant culture.The Cathedralo Santiagoretainsa 17th-centuryaçade,but behindthechurch aresoaring ruinsromthe originalmid-1500scathedraldestroyed byearthquakes.Pullupabench inthepicturesqueCentralParkor somerelaxation andpeople-watching.Visitduring SemanaSanta (theweek beoreEaster) andexperience whatsome considerthemost livelyandelaborate religiousestivitiesinthe Americas.

Central MarketGetlostinthisastonishing mazeohandicratsromall overthe country.Tastetraditionaldishes preparedin smalldinnersinsidethemarketorshoporfowers,ruits,and vegetables.

PacayaVolcanoNational ParkOneothemostactivevolcanoesinGuatemala;youmight actuallysee thelavafow.Itis easytoaccessandclimb,especiallywith alocal guide.

ChocónMachacas ProtectedBiotopeMangrovesand humidorest providehabitatdedicated toprotect themanatees.Visit LagunitasSalvadorvillage,stayin thecommunity-run hotel,andlearnhowtheamiliesliveinbalancewith theprotected areaaround them.

Puntade ManabiqueWildlifeRefugeWhitesand beaches,mangroveswamps,savannahs,andrainorestmeetinoneoGuatemala’swildest andleast visitedareas,providing habitatornesting seaturtles,manatee,jaguar, tapir,andtheendangeredyellow-headedparrot.

HaciendaTijaxGohorseback riding,hiking,orkayaking.Learn aboutthe private junglereserve’sreorestationeorts.Sailthelakeatsunsetandslumberinyour cabinoverlooking thewater.

El EstorElEstorcanbea gooddeparturepointorvisiting varioustouristattractionsnearbysuch as:CaxlampónCaves(PekKololCaves),theriverandcanyonoElBoquerón,aswellasvariousriversand Q'eqchi'communitiessuchastheRelebHaCommunityReserve.Thetownhasagoodselectionohotelsand restaurantsor dierenttastesand budgets.

Bocas del PolochicWildlifeRefugeCanoethewetlandsorwalkthetrailsand watch orhowlermonkeys,anteaters,and tapirs.

Las Escobas River andTrailsTourthehumidtropicaljungle,swimintheturquoise ponds,or wanderthroughthevisitor centerand handicratsstore.

QuiriguáThisUNESCO WorldHeritagesitecontainsmany importantlate Classic(A.D.600-900) Mayamonuments oundnowhereelse —massiveboulders,calledzoomorphs,carved torepresent animalsandcovered with glyphs,andMayacivilization'slargeststelae,which stands11 meters(36 eet) tall.

LakeAtitlánCentralAmerica'sdeepest lake,Atitlán,isactuallyavolcanic calderathatdescends toanestimateddepth o305 meters(1,000 eet).Using Panajachelas adeparturepoint (therearemany tourismservices here) youcantakeaboatride toSantiagoAtitlán,the largestlakesidetownand capitalo theTz’utujil Mayanation.FridaysandSundays aremarketdaysandthebesttimetofndgooddealsandmixwith locals.Headto thelake's westernshoresandtakethepopularculturetouroSanJuanLaLaguna—you'llseethetown'ssightsandinteractwith Tz’utujilesartisans. Hirea guide(andyoucanalsorentahorse) innearbySanPedroLa Lagunaandascend SanPedroVolcanoorgobykayak,andtakeinthemagnifcentviewsromthesuraceothestill,crystalbluewater.

RíoDulceCanyonTakea boattrip through thisspectacularrivergorge.Dipyourtoesinthehotsprings.

LivingstonThisenchanting Caribbeantownis hometoGaríuna, Q’eqchi’,Hindu,and Ladinopeople.Its varietyo hotels,restaurantsotraditionalCaribbeanood, andlively nightlie,makeitan appealing placetovisitandtheperect basepoint orvisiting othertouristattractionsin Izabal.

LosAndes PrivateNatural ReserveVisitthis well-preservedareadedicated tothestudyandconservationothequetzal,andyoumighthavethechancetoseeoneo thesemagnicentbirds inits naturalhabitat.

Fort of SanFelipeVisitthis deensiveortressbuilt atthebeginning otheXVI centurytoendagainst pirateslooking tostealmerchandisetraveling toand romSpain.Theorthasbeenrestoredandguidedtoursare oeredyear-round.

Ak’ Tenamit AssociationA thriving Q'eqchi'Maya communitydevelopmentprogram.Purchase paperproductsandmasksmadebyresidents,trya traditionalsh andvegetablemealatthe restaurant,or strollthe interpretivenaturetrail.

Corazóndel Bosque Ecological ParkKickback atthis community-owned,amily-riendlyeco-resortwith cabinsin thewoods,traditionalMaya stonesaunas, hiking trailsthrough pineoak orest,and arestaurantserving Guatemalandishesmade romlocally-growningredients.

ChichicastenangoExperiencethecolorsandtexturesothethriving Mercadode Chichi,whereyou canbuypottery,textiles,and intricatewoodcarvings orwhich thetownisamous.MayaandCatholicculturesblend atthe imposing 16th-centurychurch oSanto Tomás,built onpre-Columbianstepswhere Mayaresidents regularlyperormreligiousrituals.

Los Tarrales PrivateNatural ReserveEnjoya birdwatching tourwhere youmightspotascinating speciessuch asthe hornedguanand theazure-rumped tanager.Coeetours,nature tours,and ornamentalplant toursarealso available.

 

GUATEMALA CITY MUSEUMSCasaMIMA 8aAvenida14-12, Zona1 (Monday-Saturday10 a.m.-5 p.m.)Furniture,clothing,andotherobjects o the19thand20thcenturies insidea restored19th-centurytownhouse. 

Children's Museum 5aCalle10-00,Zona13(Tuesday-Friday8 a.m.-12 p.m.and 1-4:30  p.m.,Saturday-Sunday9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.and 2:30-6 p.m.)A widevariety o exhibitstaking youon ajourney throughspace,thehumanbody,acoeeplantation,andagiantLegoexhibit.

Ixchel Museumof Indigenous Dress UniversidadFranciscoMarroquín,endo6a Calle,Zona10 (Monday-Friday9 a.m.-5 p.m.,Saturday9 a.m.-1 p.m.)Collectiono textiles romsome120 indigenous communities andtwopermanent exhibitions o paintings.

Miraflores Museum 7aCalle21-55,Zona11(Tuesday-Sunday9 a.m.-7 p.m.) Dedicatedtothe history o theKaminaljuyu archaeologicalsite.

XIX CenturyBrewery Museum endo3aAvenidaNorte,FincaelZapote,Zona2(Monday-Thursday8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.,Friday8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.)Historicalobjects,machinery,and photos o thebeer making process.

Museumof theUniversityof SanCarlos9aAvenida9-79, Zona1 (Monday,Wednesday,Thursday,and Friday9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.,Saturday9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.)Permanent,temporary, andmobile exhibitions onthe history andwork o theUniversity,andnationalcultureandart.

National Museumof ArchaeologyandEthnol ogy6aCalle and7aAvenida,La AuroraNo.5,Zona13(Tuesday-Friday9 a.m.-4 p.m.,Saturday-Sunday9 a.m.-12 p.m.and1:30-4 p.m.) Extensivecollection o archaeologicalpieces o GuatemalaMaya culture,includingjade, obsidian,and ceramicobjects, stelaeand tombs o royalty.

National Museumof History 9aCalle9-70,Zona1 (Monday-Friday9 a.m.-5 p.m.,  Saturday9 a.m.-12 p.m.and1-4 p.m.)Exhibitiono historicobjects refectingtheeconomy,society,and cultureo Guatemalasince independencein 1821.

National Museumof ModernArt 6aCalleand7aAvenida,LaAuroraNo.6,Zona13(Tuesday-Friday9 a.m.-4 p.m.,Saturday-Sunday9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.and 1:30-4 p.m.)Showcases Guatemala's nestcontemporary art,especially painting andsculpture.

National Museumof Natural History 6aCalle7-30,Zona13(Tuesday-Friday9 a.m.- 4 p.m.,Saturday-Sunday9 a.m.-12 p.m.and2-4 p.m.)A richcollectiono foraandaunaromdierent regions o Guatemala.

National Palaceof Culture 6aAvenidaandendo6aCalle,Zona1 (daily9 a.m.-12 p.m.and2-5 pm.) Initially usedexclusively as thepresidentia lpalace rom1943 totheear ly1990s,it nowalso houses works o Guatemala's mostprominent artists.

Popol VuhMuseum andPermanent Exhibit of theLienzo deQuauhquecholl an

UniversidadFranciscoMarroquín,endo 6aCalle,Zona 10 (Monday-Friday9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday9 a.m.-1 p.m.) Oneo thebestcollections o pre-Columbianandcolonialart,along withotherolkloresuchas traditionaldancemasks andclothing. TheLienzodeQuauhquechollanexhibit displays details o this 16th-century clothpictograph whichchronicles theconquesto Guatemala.

FESTIVALS & EVENTSCelebrationof the Black Christ of EsquipulasChiquimula (January15) Oneo the largestpilgrimages in CentralAmericaends at theBasilicao the Black ChristatEsquipulas withcelebrations,rituals,traditionalood,andlocalcrats.

Rabinal Achí Dance BajaVerapaz ( January25 ) Highlights aMaya theatricalplay withmaskeddance,theater, andmusic. UNESCOIntangible CulturalHeri tageo Humanity event.

HolyWeek (SemanaSanta)National (Marchor April)Easterestivities thatcombine Catholicrituals withlocalandethnictraditions.

Celebrationof Maximón SantiagoAtitlán (HolyThursday) Honors SanSimón(adeityrepresenting amixture betweenMaya, Catholic,and Magicalbelies) withoerings, burningo candles,and magicalrituals.

Dayof theHolyCross andAssumptionDayinLagunaChicabalSanMartínChileVerde,Quetzaltenango(May3rdandAugust15th)Celebrates specialdates onthe Mayacalendarwith ceremonies andoerings suchas fowers,incense, andcrosses.

Celebrationof SanPedro every towncalledSanPedro(June26th) Practices vary romtowntotown,butthecelebrationis heldaroundthesummerequinoxwhichhas greatrelevanceinMayaculture.

RabinAj awIndigenous FestivalCobán,AltaVerapaz(endofJuly)Features indigenoustraditions withmusic,dance,andood,andtheelectiono RabinAjaw(TheDaughtero theKing) as aMaya representative.

HistoricCenter Festival GuatemalaCity (August) Highlights arts andculture throughar texhibits,perormances, dances,and music.

Independence DayNational (September 15th) Nationalholiday celebrating theindependenceo Guatemalawith parades,decorations, andmarching bands.

Festival of theRosary Virgin Guatemalaand Quetzaltenango(October 7th) Commemoratestheday o theRosary Virginwithtraditionalood,games,andhandicrats.

SanSimónFestivalSanAndrés Itzapa(October 28th) Celebrates SanSimón(adeityrepresenting amixture betweenMaya, Catholicand Magicalbelies) withoerings o liquor,tobacco,burning o candles,and magicalrituals.

All Saint’s DayandDayof theDead National (November 1-2) Honoring allsaints andthedeparted souls o thedead. Practices vary romtownto town,but usually includevisits tothecemetery andtheeating o fiambre orotherspecialtraditionaldishes. Thebestplaces toenjoy this estivalare Sumpangoand SantiagoSacatepéquez (Sacatepéquez) withtheir giantpaperkites, andTodos Santos Cuchumatán(Huehuetenango).

Garinaguor GarífunaFestival Livingston,Izabal (November 20-30) Highlights theGaríunacultureandtheDay o theGaríunawithmusic,dance,andtraditionalood. 

Celebrationof theVirginof GuadalupeGuatemalaCity (December 12th) Inhonoro theVirgino Guadalupe,patrono GuatemalaCity. Allthechildrenaredressedintraditionaloutts.

Christmas Eve National (December 24th) Celebrates thebirtho Christwithmusic,traditionalood,rituals,gits,andsocialactivities.

MayaNewYearNational,mainly Mayapeople(varies) Includes traditional ceremonies,rituals,andoerin gs atsacred sites. This celebration's dateis basedon theMaya Calendar.

he girl was just sitting at the park bench.While her mother was talking to an oldfriend, she was carefully watching peoplecrossing the plaza. To their left, a Ladino

man carrying a suitcase ran to catch the bus.To their right, a Garífuna family was celebrating.She couldn’t hear them in the distance, but she saw the smiles on their faces and their cheerfuldance. Nearby, some Maya leaders were talking and sharing opinions. ‘How different we are,’ the girl thought, while remembering that, like her, they are all Guatemalan.

In just 108,889 square kilometers (42,000square miles) 22 Maya languages are spoken,plus Xinka on the Southeast, Garíuna on theCaribbean, and Spanish everywhere. Guatema-lan culture is one and t wenty-ve at a time.

O course, not all people are the same. Tothe East, or example, dwellers share a cowboystyle because their main economic activitiesrelate to cattle. To the South, however, peopleare dedicated to shing or working at sea; theirwardrobe, cuisine, and traditions are noticeablydierent. It is in this diversity that we celebrateour uniqueness.

Guatemalans have ound the way to usethis distinctiveness. This quality, along with thestrong relation to nature, is ound everywhere,rom local art to agricultural techniques and cul-tural expressions.

This country is a land o nders. Our peoplend the proclamation o a sunny day in t he songo a bird; they nd in the simplest detail themain idea o a masterpiece; they extract theextraordinary rom the ordinary; and they nd ina small seed the hope o tomorrow’s lie.

T

Guatemala's PeopleEssence of the Country