GUATEMALA CITY
The fourth and current capital of Guatemala, the New Guatemala of The Asuncion, was founded in 1776 after the previous capital Santiago / La Antigua G. was abandoned due to severe earthquakes.
It sprawls over 25 zones and continues to grow with most zones having their own characteristics. Like any major city it is a thriving metropolis where most government ministries are located.
Things to do in and around Guatemala City:
- Go back in time and see how the fabrics, colours and designs of Guatemala’s textiles have evolved through the centuries
- Take a close up view at many ancient Maya artifacts including ceramics, human remains, jade pieces, and much more at one of the archaeological museums
- Stand at “Kilometre Zero” and take in the impressive Central Plaza, National Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral of the city’s Historic Centre
- Appreciate a 3D scale model of the country, which NASA affirm is correct to within four inches! Hear more about how this visionary project was carried out in the early 1900’s and see how the country’s topography has changed
- Discover a surprising sanctuary within the city which, for nearly a century, has been protecting over 650 species of native and exotic flora within its 17,000m 2
