La Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncion - this is the official name of the capital of Guatemala. Within the modern metropolitan area, located in the southeastern part of the country, in pre-Columbian times there was a Mayan city called Kaminalhuyu, founded about 2000 years ago. According to archaeological evidence, Caminaljuu had commercial relations with Teotihuacan, located in central Mexico. Its religious and ceremonial center was located within walking distance of the old part of the modern city, which was built in the twentieth century around ancient ruins. Currently it is a park area.
In Spanish times, the capital of Guatemala was a tiny town. But after Antigua-Guatemala, which at that time was the administrative center of the
Spanish Empire in Central America, was destroyed during the earthquake, the residence of the captain general of Guatemala was moved (in 1775) to this settlement. It began to be called New Guatemala (Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncion). In the last years of the colonial period, the inhabitants of the city rebelled against Spanish rule. On September 15, 1821, the Central American Independence Act was signed here.
The capital of Guatemala is the government, economic, cultural center and main port of the country. Most of the country's main transport routes pass through the city and lead to it. With a variety of interesting places, architectural masterpieces of the colonial era, natural beauties and archaeological zones, it is one of the most important tourist cities in Central America.
There are many museums (including those that preserve the most important collections of pre-Columbian art), art galleries of classical and modern art, theaters and sports facilities. In addition, the capital
Guatemala is known for its well-developed infrastructure, a large selection of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels.
Among the important attractions should be called Casa Mima - the house-museum of world art history, which includes collections of masterpieces of decorative and applied art, furniture, everyday objects. Here are collected creations that date back to the late 19th - early 20th centuries. Also, one cannot fail to mention the Miguel Angel Asturias Cultural Center, the Miraflores Archaeological Museum, the Mayan Popol-Vuh Museum of Art and Culture of Civilization, Indian Costume, the National Palace, the Central Market, and the Spanish Cultural Center. And this is not a complete list of local attractions.
Kaminalhuyu Park is the cradle of the Mayan culture. The capital of Guatemala in this amazing place for interested tourists can offer a unique journey through the ancient ruins of the once majestic temples and pyramids surrounded by a beautiful forest. All artefacts (about 500 objects) found during archaeological excavations are exhibited at the Miraflores Museum of Archeology. This museum, based on three ancient mounds in 2002 and covering an area of about 13,000 square meters, has many exhibits, not only the items that were excavated at Kaminalhui.
Despite the fact that the city is located in the tropical zone, due to its high altitude , a climate of subtropical uplands is observed here. Temperatures throughout the year are usually quite high. The average annual temperature is 21 degrees, in the winter (December to April) it ranges from 27 to 12 degrees, in the summer (June to September) - from 28 to 16. If we talk about other parts of Central America, it is Guatemala that is considered the coldest place.
Capital divided into 25 zones, of which the historical center occupies 1, 2 and 3 zones. In these areas there are many hotels (2- and 3-star), there is active trade, there are several enterprises that are mainly managed by immigrants from Asian and Arab countries. In general, Guatemala, which is the largest city in Central America, remains a magnet not only for people moving here from rural areas of the country, but also for immigrants from other countries of the world. Travelers who decide to visit this city can book tours to Guatemala at any travel agency representing the country.