Guatemala City
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Guatemala City La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s): Guate | |
| Motto: "Vos sos la ciudad" (You are the city) | |
  Guatemala City | |
| Coordinates: 14°36′48″N 90°32′7″W | |
| Country | Guatemala |
| Department | Guatemala |
| Municipality | Guatemala |
| Subdivisions | Zonas (zones) |
| Established | 1773 |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Álvaro Arzú |
| Area | |
| - City | 692 km2 (267.2 sq mi) |
| - Land | 1,905 km2 (735.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,500 'Average' m (Expression error: Unrecognised punctuation character "'" ft) |
| Population (2010 est.)[1][2] | |
| - City | 1,104,890 |
| - Metro | 3,681,309 |
| Time zone | GMT-6 (UTC-6) |
| Website | Municipalidad de Guatemala |
Guatemala City (in full, La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción; locally known as Guatemala or Guate), is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America. It is also the capital city of the local Guatemala Department.
The city is located at 14°38′N 90°33′W
[edit]History
Within the confines of modern Guatemala City is the ancient Maya city of Kaminaljuyu. Kaminaljuyu was first occupied between 1200 and 1000 BC and the city continued to be inhabited for about 2000 years before it was abandoned in the Late Classic Period of Mesoamerican chronology (600–900 AD).[3] It is one of America's 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 however protected by the Guatemalan government and is now a park within the city. There are also many ruins still in existence, protected by the government.
In Spanish colonial times, Guatemala City was a small town. It had a monastery called El Carmen, founded in 1629. The capital of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala, covering most of modern Central America, was moved here after a series of earthquakes - the Santa Marta earthquakes that started on July 29, 1773 - destroyed the old capital, Antigua Guatemala.[4] On September 27, 1775, King Charles III of Spain officialized the moving of the capital. This dramatically increased the potential for expansion of the city.
Guatemala City was the scene of the declaration of independence of Central America from Spain, and became the capital of the United Provinces of Central America in 1821.
[edit]Contemporary times
Guatemala City is the economic, governmental and cultural capital of the Republic. The city also functions as the main port of entry into the country, with international airport, La Aurora International Airport and most major highways in the country originating or leading to the city. The city continues to be a pole for the attraction of immigrants from the country's rural areas as well as foreign immigrants.
In addition to a wide variety of restaurants, hotels and shops, the city has a wide variety of art galleries, theaters, sports venues and museums (including some fine collections of Pre-Columbian art) and continually offers an increasing amount of cultural activities. Guatemala City offers all the modern amenities along with important historic sites that a world class city can be expected to have ranging from an IMAX Theater to the Ícaro film festival (Festival Ícaro) featuring film produced in Guatemala and Central America.
[edit]Climate
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Despite its location in the tropics and the many micro climates found within the country, Guatemala City's elevation and the resulting moderating influence of the higher altitude enable it to enjoy a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb), though depending on location, it also borders on a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw). Guatemala City is generally mild, almost springlike, throughout the course of the year. It occasionally gets warm during the dry season, but it is nowhere near as hot as other sea-level cities located in the tropics. The rainy season extends from May to October while the dry season covers the remainder of the year.[6] The weather in Guatemala City is also very windy; this may decrease the apparent temperature even more.
The average annual temperature is 19 to 22 °C (66 to 72 °F)) during the day, and 14 °C (57 °F) at night.
Average morning relative humidity: 82%, evening relative humidity: 58%. Average Dew Point is 12 °C (54 °F).[6]
| [hide]Climate data for Guatemala City | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 23.8 (74.8) | 25.2 (77.4) | 26.6 (79.9) | 27.5 (81.5) | 27.1 (80.8) | 25.3 (77.5) | 24.5 (76.1) | 25.0 (77) | 24.4 (75.9) | 24.1 (75.4) | 23.4 (74.1) | 23.4 (74.1) | 25.0 (77) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 11.5 (52.7) | 12.9 (55.2) | 14.0 (57.2) | 15.4 (59.7) | 16.2 (61.2) | 16.2 (61.2) | 15.8 (60.4) | 15.8 (60.4) | 15.8 (60.4) | 15.4 (59.7) | 14.0 (57.2) | 13.1 (55.6) | 14.7 (58.5) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 3.2 (0.126) | 4.9 (0.193) | 6.9 (0.272) | 25.9 (1.02) | 117.2 (4.614) | 249.5 (9.823) | 180.1 (7.091) | 181.6 (7.15) | 235.2 (9.26) | 131 (5.16) | 42.6 (1.677) | 7.4 (0.291) | 1,185.5 (46.673) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 21 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 122 |
| Source: World Meteorological Organisation (UN) [5] | |||||||||||||
[edit]Structure and growth
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Guatemala City is subdivided into 22 zones designed by the urban engineering of Raúl Aguilar Batres, each one with its own streets and avenues, making it very easy to find addresses in the city. Zones are numbered 1-25 with Zones 20, 22 and 23 not yet existing.[7] Addresses are assigned according to the street or avenue number, followed by a dash and the number of meters it is away from the intersection further simplifying address location.
The city's metro area has recently grown very rapidly and has absorbed most of the neighboring municipalities of Villa Nueva, San Miguel Petapa,Mixco, San Juan Sacatepequez, San José Pinula, Santa Catarina Pinula, Fraijanes, San Pedro Ayampuc, Amatitlán, Villa Canales, Palencia and Chinautla forming what is now known as the Guatemala City Metropolitan Area.
Zone One is the Historic Center, (Centro Histórico), lying in the very heart of the city, the location of many important historic buildings including the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura (National Palace of Culture), the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Congress, the Casa Presidencial (Presidential House), the National Library and Plaza de la Constitución (Constitution Plaza, old Central Park). Efforts to revitalize this important part of the city have been undertaken by the municipal government and have been very successful thus far.
In an attempt to control rapid growth of the city, the municipal government (Municipalidad de Guatemala) headed by long time Mayor Álvaro Arzú, has implemented a plan to control its growth based on transects along its important arterial roads and exhibitting Transit-oriented development (TOD) characteristics. This plan denominated POT (Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial) aims to allow taller building structures of mixed uses to be built next to large arterial roads and gradually decline in height and density as you move away from such.[8]
[edit]Population
As of the 2002 census, the metropolitan area had a population of 2.3 million.[2] However, it has grown in excessive amounts throughout recent years.[citation needed] Guatemalans have a diversity of origins, with Spanish and Mestizo descent being the most common. Guatemala City also has a sizeable Indigenous population and minority groups such as Germans and other Europeans, Jewish, Asians primarily Chinese and Korean, and many groups of other Latin American origins such as Peruvian, and Colombian amongst others.
Guatemala City's population has experienced drastic growth since the 1970s with the influx of indigenous migrants from the outlying departments as well as a large influx of foreign groups. For this reason along with several others, Guatemala City has experienced some growth problems such as transportation saturation, availability of safe potable water in some areas at certain times as well as increased crime. The infrastructure, although continuing to grow and improve, at times appears to be lagging in relation to the population explosion. In other words, Guatemala City faces problems common to many other rapidly expanding cities.
[edit]Communications
Guatemala City is home to many communication company headquarters, since it has some of the highest rates of people that can access internet, telephone communication and television communication. The most popular communication companies in Guatemala are, Tigo, Claro-Telgua, and Movistar-Telefonica. All of these companies provide 3G networks in the country, TV-Cable, Internet and International Roaming. There are 7 local television channels, apart from all kinds of international channels ranging from kids channels such as Nickelodeon or Disney Channel to channels such as E!, HBO, etc. As well as informational, news, European and Asian channels.
[edit]Financial Sector
Guatemala City's banking headquarters include banks such as CitiBank, Banco Agromercantil, Banco Promerica, Banco Industrial, Banco GyT Continental, Banco de Antigua, Banco Reformador, Banrural, Grupo Financiero de Occidente, BAC Credomatic, Banco Internacional, among others. The city's most popular department/general stores include Siman, Hiper Paiz & Paiz (Walmart), Price Smart, ClubCo, Cemaco, Sears, Office Depot, etc.
[edit]Places of interest by zones
Guatemala City is subdivided into 22 zones designed by the urban engineering of Raúl Aguilar Batres, each one with its own streets and avenues, making it very easy to find addresses in the city. Zones are numbered 1-25 with Zones 20, 22 and 23 not yet existing.[7]
[edit]Zone 1
- Museos de Guatemala [1]
- Centro Histórico [2]
- National Palace of Culture
- Metropolitan Cathedral
- Mercado Central (central market)[3]
- Biblioteca Nacional (national library)
- Teatro Abril [4]
- Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
- Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage [5]
[edit]Zone 2
- Mapa en Relieve (giant map of Guatemala, unique in the world) and surrounding parks [9]
[edit]Zone 3
- General Cemetery
[edit]Zone 4
- Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias
- Cuatro Grados Norte revitalized pedestrian area and cultural district
- Visa Immigration Office for all foreigners
[edit]Zone 5
[edit]Zone 9
- Torre del Reformador (Tower of the Reformer).
- Parque de la Industria, fairgrounds [6]
- Avenida Reforma and El Obelisco, a parklike boulevard
[edit]Zone 10
- Museo Ixchel del Traje Indígena (Mayan dress museum) [10]
- Museo Popol Vuh
- Zona Viva entertainment district
- Botanical garden [11]
- Plaza Fontabella
- Oakland Mall
[edit]Zone 11
- Kaminaljuyu, Museo Miraflores [7], Miraflores one of the biggest malls in the city.
[edit]Zone 13
- Museo Nacional de Arqueología y Etnología [12]
- Museo de Arte Moderno (Art Museum)
- Museo de los Niños (Children's Museum)
- Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Natural History Museum)
- La Aurora Zoo [13]
- La Aurora International Airport
- Avenida de las Américas
- Domo Polideportivo Indoor Sports Stadium
- Mercado de Artesanías, Artscrafts and handicrafts Market
- Reloj de Flores (Landsaped Floral Clock)
- Antiguo Aqueducto (Remains of the Historical Aqueduct)
- Justo Rufino Barrios Monument (Monument of one of Guatemala's much acclaimed past President, responsible for the introduction of the railroads among other services to the country.)
- Tecún Úman Monument (Monument to a famed Mayan leader and warrior in Guatemala's History)
- Velodromo Nacional (Nacional Velodrome)
[edit]Transportation
- The newly renovated and expanded (phase 1 out of 2 phases of renovation) 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 mainly by bus and recently supplemented with a BRT System. Guatemala City is the spot where the 5 main highways of the country start. (Highway to the Atlantic, to El Salvador, to the Coast, to the Altiplano and to Peten.) The construction of freeways and underpasses by the municipal government, the implementation of reversible lanes during peak rush hour traffic flows, as well as the establishment of the Department of Metropolitan Transit Police (PMT) has helped traffic flow in the city, however, the Guatemalan metropolitan area still faces a growing transportation problem.
- A new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system called Transmetro, consisting of special-purpose lanes for high-capacity buses, began operating in 2007 and aims to improve traffic flow in the city through the implementation of an efficient mass transit system. The System currently consists of 2 Lines.
[edit]Universities and schools
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 only public one and third oldest university in America. The city also has 2 of the most expensive private schools in Central America, The American School of Guatemala and The Mayan International School.
See also: List of universities in Guatemala
[edit]Sports
Guatemala City possesses several sportsgrounds and is home to many sports clubs. Soccer is the most popular sport, with CSD Municipal,Aurora FC and Comunicaciones being the main clubs. The Estadio Mateo Flores, located in the Zone 5 of the city, is the largest stadium in the country, followed in capacity by the Estadio Cementos Progreso and the Estadio del Ejército. An important multi-functional hall is theDomo Polideportivo de la CDAG.
The city has hosted several promotional functions and some international sports events: in 1950 it hosted the VI Central American and Caribbean Games, and in 2000 the FIFA Futsal World Championship. On July 4, 2007 the International Olympic Committee gathered in Guatemala City and voted Sochi to become the host for the 2014 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.[14] In April 2010, it hosted the XIVth Pan-American Mountain Bike Championships.[15]
Guatemala City was announced in November 2007 to host the 2008 edition of the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, played at the Domo Polideportivo from June 2 to June 8, 2008.[16][17]
[edit]Natural disasters
[edit]Earthquakes
Guatemala City has been affected several times by earthquakes. The worst quakes were registered in 1917/1918 and 1976.
[edit]Volcanic activity
Four volcanoes are visible from the city, two of them active. The nearest and most active is Pacaya, which at times expels a considerable amount of ash.[18]
[edit]Mudslides
Due to heavy rainfalls some of the humble neighborhoods built at the edge of steep valleys are frequently washed away and buried under mudslides, as in October 2005.[19]
[edit]Piping Pseudokarst
In February 2007, a very large, deep circular hole with vertical walls opened in a poor neighborhood in northeast Guatemala city 14°39′1.40″N 90°29′25″W
In May 2010, another piping feature, which was larger than a street intersection, developed after Tropical Storm Agatha. It engulfed a three story building and a house. 14°39′7.50″N 90°30′21.5″W
[edit]Zone Ten and Zona Viva
Zone Ten, along with being the financial district of the city, is among the most popular areas for pop culture, shopping and entertainment. A district within Zone Ten, known as Zona Viva, contains many of the city's most popular and most expensive hotels, restaurants, bars, discothèques, and other entertainment venues for urban dwellers. Also, many of the embassies are located in Zone Ten.
[edit]International relations
[edit]Twin towns — sister cities
Guatemala City is twinned with:
