Other Definitions
guatemala (dest)
guatemala (enc)
guatemala (dict)
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Guatemala The history of Guatemala can be broken down into three well-defined periods: 1. The period prior to the arrival of the Spaniards is the most interesting. New information is being continually accumulated through the discoveries made of the Mayan culture that flourished between the years 2000 B.C. and 900 A.D. There is Last testimony to the achievements of the Mayans throughout all periods of their rule, such as the Mayan calendar and the numerical system they developed. 2. The second important period in the history of Guatemala is marked by the arrival of Pedro de Alvarado, conqueror of Guatemala, in 1524. In July of that same year, he founded the first capital of the kingdom of Guatemala at Iximché (presently Tecpán). From there, it was moved to Almolonga (now Ciudad Vieja) in 1527 and to La Antigua Guatemala in 1543. The capital of Guatemala was then the seat of government of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, that stretched from Yucatán to Panama. Agriculture and livestock were the major economic activities and the Captaincy General of Guatemala enjoyed a period of splendor, until its capital was destroyed in 1773 by an earthquake, requiring it to be transferred to Guatemala City, where it has been ever since. 3. The third important period in the history of Guatemala commences with its independence from Spain, on September 15, 1821, when together with other nations of Central America, it became a member of the United Provinces of Central America. Guatemala seceded from this federation in 1839, and was proclaimed a Republic in 1847 a few years after.
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