Fun Facts About Guatemala

From the ancient Maya ruins of Tikal to the historic colonial city of Antigua, to the magnificent, picturesque scenery of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala is a traveler’s delight. Guatemala attracts visitors from around the world, bringing people into this vibrant country, rich in history and Maya culture. 

Guatemala has one of the largest indigenous populations in Latin America.

The colorful Maya culture is a prominent part of why this country is so unique. Alongside Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, Guatemala is in the top five Latin American countries with the largest indigenous populations. The indigenous population inhibits roughly 45% of Guatemala’s total population. Additionally, there are 23 indigenous languages, 21 of which are Mayan languages, and the other two belong to the Xinca (related to the Nahua language) and Garífuna (an Afro-Caribbean indigenous language).  

There are 37 volcanoes in Guatemala.

When flying into Guatemala, one of the most notable features of this country is the incredibly gorgeous volcanoes. There are 37 volcanoes surrounding the beautiful landscape of Guatemala, three of which are active: Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito. Hiking volcanoes in Guatemala is an experience like no other; being above tree-line in the clouds and climbing on volcanic rock. You can even camp right next to an active one, definitely an adventure worth experiencing! 

Maya textiles have symbolic stories woven into the patterns.

The vibrant feeling of this country shines through the unique handwoven textiles, which are a sacred component to Guatemala’s culture. Clothing in Guatemala is more than something you wear every day; it is a social identity. The art of weaving expresses ancient Maya beliefs and traditions through the level of details, colors, lines, and designs that create cultural signs and stories. The clothes can also reveal gender, location, social and religious hierarchy, and more.

Guatemala is the birthplace of chocolate.

Guatemala has given the world so many precious gifts, chocolate being one of them! The Maya people have cherished the mouth-watering aroma of pure cacao for thousands of years. 

Cacao is not only a superfood but viewed as a “gift from the gods” that has healing powers and health benefits. Cacao can be eaten in bar form or enjoyed as a drink and used during ceremonies. For all you chocoholics out there, Guatemala produces over 10,000 tons of chocolate per year! 

Guatemala produces more jade than anywhere in the entire world.

Guatemala is the leading source for top-tier jade in the world, but unlike other parts of the world, Guatemalan jade has a variety of colors. Some of the unique colors that come from Guatemala are lavender and blue jade and the more rare rainbow jade. Jade has been seen as a treasure by kings and people of power since ancient Maya times.

Guatemala is a place full of hidden gems, radiant people, and incredible stories. Whether you are walking through the cobbled streets or up an active volcano, exploring this magical place will put a smile on your face. 

Emma - The Visual Storyteller

Hello, digital world! I want to take some time to share a bit more on social media about myself and my passions! For those of you who don't know I currently live and work in the beautiful Western Highlands of Guatemala. Lake Atitlán, Panajachel, Guatemala to be exact. Every day I wake up to the sounds of birds chirping, clapping hands on freshly made tortillas and breathtaking views of volcanoes as I am reminded how lucky I am to be living in such awe-inspiring place.

Next month it will be one year that I have been living here! Additionally, while living in this indigenous community, I have been dedicating much time to learning and practicing Spanish. Poco a poco!

Currently, I work as a content creator and photographer. I create and manage all social media content, photograph organization programs, communities, and impact as well as write blogs on essential events, newsletters and also capture and edit video. It is indeed a mezcla "mixture" of creative endeavors. This job has challenged me in many ways, helping me reach new heights in my personal development, and career as well as learning about and experiencing the intricate Maya culture.

On top of this, I do freelance work providing visual and creative solutions for passionate individuals as I am diving deeper into my future aspirations and expanding my horizons. I am committed to storytelling through the use of visuals, words, and social media to help bring people closer together. Specifically, my photography focuses on social impact, unique lifestyles and travel. However, I love working on all different projects that have a creative vision and an impactful purpose. One of my main objectives in my work is to listen and connect with people. By doing this, I desire to share people's voices and stories with which individuals around the world can connect. We each have our perspectives, and I love being able to show my view through my lens. Storytelling is how we, as humans, connect, and that is what keeps my passion ignited.

When I am not trying to capture the perfect moment, you can find me hiking, spending time with friends, doing yoga, or traveling.

Along with visual storytelling, I have a deep-rooted love for traveling. I went on my first solo international trip at the age of 16, and I haven't looked back. Since then, I have had the fantastic opportunity to travel to over 20 countries, experiencing new cultures and foreign lands. These experiences have sparked my curiosity for the world and the diverse people that inhabit it. Each place I have gone, even if for a short period, I have taken a valuable piece of knowledge with me and a memory to forever have in my heart.

As I continue to grow and learn, I feel such gratitude for the people in my life, the challenging, thought-provoking, emotional experiences I have had, and how I have grown in my career thus far. Gratitude is something I am continuing to implement in my life every day.

Now that you have heard a little bit more about me and who I am, I would love to get more connected with you all. If you or someone you know has a creative idea, or a story you believe needs to be told, please reach out to me, I'd love to connect. You can reach me via email, on Instagram @infiniteviewpoint, or my Facebook page Emma Pion-Berlin Photography and to see my work here on my website http://emmapionberlin.com/.

Helping others by turning challenges into opportunities and developing content that is creative, vibrant and impactful is what I am after.

Photos by the wonderful Abram Cook