Guatemala

 

city (1994 est. pop. 823,301), S central Guatemala, capital of the republic. Its full name is La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción. In a broad, fertile, highland valley, c.5,000 ft (1,520 m) high, it enjoys an equable climate the year round. It is the largest city in Central America, with a cosmopolitan atmosphere and many fine public buildings. It is served by international and local airways, modern highways, and railroads and is the industrial, commercial, and financial center of the republic. To the city's markets come the fruits and vegetables of the tropical coasts and temperate highlands and also native handicrafts, especially textiles. Much of the produce is carried in from the countryside and sold in the market stalls. There is also a modern business section. The present city is the fourth permanent capital of Guatemala and was founded in 1776 after Antigua Guatemala was abandoned. An earthquake destroyed Guatemala City in 1917–18, but it was rebuilt on the same site. In 1976, another earthquake caused extensive damage to the city and its environs, resulting in more than 20,000 fatalities. From the city excursions may be made to the sites of Antigua Guatemala and Ciudad Vieja, the first two capitals. Many interesting remains of Mayan civilization have been unearthed in the vicinity of Guatemala City, notably at Lake Amatitlán. The Univ. of San Carlos de Guatemala (1676) is in the city, as are many other educational and cultural institutions.

Guatemala City La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción
National Palace of Culture
Nickname: Guate
Coordinates: 14°37′22.48″N 90°31′53.33″W / 14.6229111, -90.5314806
Country	Guatemala
Department	Guatemala
Municipality	Guatemala
Established	1773
Government
- Mayor	Álvaro Arzú
Area
- City	km²  ( sq mi)
- Land	km² ( sq mi)
Elevation	m ( ft)
Population (2002)
- City

Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate) is the capital and largest city of the nation of Guatemala. It is also the capital city of the local Guatemala Department. It is also the largest city in Central America.

As of the 2002 census, the city had a population of 942,348.^[1] The city is located at 14°38′N, 90°33′W, in a mountain valley in the south central part of the country.

History

Within the confines of modern Guatemala City is the ancient Maya city of Kaminaljuyu. Kaminaljuyu dates back some 9,000 years and is one of the Americas' most notable archaeological sites. The center of Kaminaljuyu was located a short distance from the oldest part of Guatemala City. However, in the late 20th century, the city grew around the ruins, and, in some cases, over some of the outlying ruins before they were protected. Many of the several hundred temple mounds have been built over with freeways, shopping centers, commerce, luxury hotels and residential areas. The central ceremonial center of Kaminaljuyu was protected by the Guatemalan government and is now a park within the city.

In Spanish colonial times, Guatemala City was a small town. It had a monastery called 'El Carmen', founded in 1629. The capital of Spanish colonial Central America was moved here after an earthquake destroyed the old capital, Antigua Guatemala, in 1775. King Charles III of Spain authorized the moving of the capital on September 27, 1775. This resulted in a great expansion of the city.

The city was the scene of the declaration of independence of Central America from Spain, and became in 1821 the capital of the United Provinces of Central America.

Features

Guatemala City is the economic, governmental and cultural capital of the Republic, and it functions as the main port of entry into the country, with the country's largest international airport, La Aurora International Airport. In addition to a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and shops, the city has a wide variety of art galleries and museums (including some fine collections of Pre-Columbian art) and continually offers an increasing amount of cultural activities. There are 10 universities, Universidad Mariano Gálvez, Universidad Panamericana, Universidad Mesoamericana, Universidad Rafael Landivar, Universidad Francisco Marroquin, Universidad del Valle, Universidad del Istmo, Universidad Galileo, Universidad Rural and Universidad de San Carlos, the mother only public one and third oldest university in the New World.

Guatemala City does not have an efficient public transportation service, despite the many proposals and projects for the construction of a mass transit system. Although the construction of freeways and underpasses by the municipal government, as well as the establishment of the Department of Metropolitan Transit Police, PMT, has helped traffic flow in the city, the Guatemalan metropolitan area faces a growing transportation problem. However, a new project called Transmetro, consisting of special-purpose lanes for high-capacity buses, began operating in 2007 and aims to improve traffic flow in the city.

Guatemala City is subdivided into 25 zones (although zones 20, 22, and 23 don't exist), each one with its own streets and avenues, making it very easy to find addresses in the city. However, the city has grown so fast in the past years that it has already absorbed most of the neighboring towns, including Villa Nueva, Santa Catarina Pinula, Mixco, and the suburban area of Carretera a El Salvador.

Zone One is the Historic Center (Centro Histórico), lying in the very heart of the city, the location of many important buildings including the Palacio Nacional (National Palace), the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Congress, and the Casa Presidencial (Presidential House).

The city has been host to several sports events. In 1950 it hosted the VI Central American and Caribbean Games, and in 2000 the Futsal World Cup.

The city is served by La Aurora International Airport.

Zona Viva (Live Zone)

Zone Ten or the Zona Viva is among the most popular areas for Pop Culture and Shopping and entertainment. Zone ten is where most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, discotheques, and other entertainment places in the city are located. Also, many of the embassies are located in Zone Ten, which is very safe and well-patrolled.

Transportation

Guatemala La Aurora International Airport lies in the southern part of the city and is the main gateway to the country. Urban public transportation is provided solely by bus. A new bus system called transmetro is currently being built up, where buses use exclusive lanes with fix bus stops.

Gallery

Volcanoes surrounding Guatemala City	John Paul II monument	Zona Viva	Air View of Guatemala City
Guatemala City Valley	Palace Nacional de la Cultura

Sister Cities

• Mexico City, Mexico
• La Paz, Bolivia
• Managua, Nicaragua
• Tegucigalpa, Honduras

References

External links

• Official Website of the Municipalidad de Guatemala
• Guatemala City travel guide from Wikitravel
• http://www.visitguatemala.comnov:Guatemala Urbe

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