Guatemala´s capital is Guatemala City, the largest and most modern
city in Central America. It has been the most important metropolitan
area in Central America since the eighteenth century. It was the
seat of the United Provinces of Central America until 1847. Today it
is the gateway to the Mayan world in addition to being the tourist
and business hub of Central America.
Guatemala City offers a variety of choices to visit and learn about
its culture and history. There are several museums; a relief map
built in 1904 displaying the diverse topography of Guatemala; the
historic center (Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, Constitution
Plaza, etc.); the “Zona Viva” is the most important trade and
business center of the city where the largest hotels and most
frequented restaurants are to be found; 4 Grados Norte is entirely a
pedestrian zone, where bistros, restaurants, and art galleries are
to be found; and, of course, the handicrafts market, located near
the airport, where there are more than thirty shops that present you
with a wide variety of Guatemalan handicrafts, including pottery
from almost every corner of the country, hand woven textiles,
wrought iron, beautiful paintings, word carved ornaments, and
numerous modern items in fine textiles, leather and wood. |
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