Overview
Guatemala is a collision of different worlds characterized by its mixed demographic which includes a large indigenous population, Ladinos (of mixed Spanish and indigenous descent) and descendents of African slaves. Its bloody history, including the fallout from a lengthy civil war, has not diminished the country’s appeal or its significance. It was here that the Maya civilization flourished, and this culture still thrives today with the existence of highland communities and their religious festivals, language and handicrafts.
Meanwhile, cities like Antigua are faithful to Guatemala’s colonial past with well preserved architecture and lively plazas. Outside of the man-made structures of yore, the dramatic landscape of volcanoes, lakes and rainforest abounds with exotic flora and fauna.
- Beautiful country
- Warm, friendly people
- Its central position means easy access to other Central American countries
- Rewarding jobs
- Mayan villages, volcanoes, mountains...
Things you might not know about Teaching English in Guatemala
- The colours on the national flag represent Guatemala (white) sitting between two oceans (blue).
- Guatemalans call their parents espejos (mirrors), because through their parents they learn who they are and what they are capable of achieving.
- Before they go to bed, children traditionally tell their problems to tiny worry dolls, who are believed to whisk these worries away while they sleep.
- The country’s name means “Land of the Trees”
