15 September: Guatemala Independence Day

Today is Guatemala's Independence Day. 10 things you might not know about Guatemala:

1. The name Guatemala derives from a Mayan word for "Many trees".
2. More than half the people who live in Guatemala today are descended from the Maya.
3. Guatemala's capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City.
4. There are 33 volcanoes in Guatemala, including Tajumulco, which, at 4,220 m, is the highest point not just in Guatemala but in Central America as a whole.
5. The currency of Guatemala is the quetzel, named after the Resplendent quetzal, its national bird. In Mayan times, the bird's tail feathers were used as currency.
6. The flag has two sky blue stripes, which represent the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and a white stripe for purity. The white stripe in the centre contains the Guatemalan coat of arms which comprises a Resplendent Quetzal, for liberty; a parchment scroll bearing the date of Central America's independence from Spain, 15 September 1821; crossed rifles, indicating Guatemala's willingness to defend itself by force if need be; a bay laurel crown, for victory; and crossed swords, representing honour.
7. Chocolate originated in Guatemala. The Maya were the first people to consume chocolate and the word comes from the Mayan word ‘xocoatl’ meaning bitter water. The Mayans made cocoa into a thick, cold, unsweetened drink sometimes flavoured with hot spices.
8. With an estimated population of around 15.8 million, Guatemala is the most populous state in Central America.
9. Guatemala is home to the deepest lake in Central America, Lake Atitlán, which is 340 metres (1,120 ft). It is also thought to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
10. Guatemala is also known for its worry dolls. They are very small and colourful dolls, whose purpose is for people to tell their worries to, so that the doll will do the worrying for them and allow the person to sleep easily. Tradition has it that the doll will actually take worries away during the night. Worry dolls are a popular souvenir of Guatemala because they are so small.