Guatemala is a fascinating country accredited as the cultural center of the Pre-Columbian Mayan world. To say that it possesses a long history would be an understatement: the territory was home to fishing and farming villages from as early as 2000 B.C, and these populations developed into one of the most advanced ancient civilizations of the New World, culminating between 600 and 900 A.D.

Guatemala's more than 12 million inhabitants are mostly essentially of indigenous and Ladino descent, and the Mayan Indians have preserved some of the continent's richest folklore and customs. Anyway, the effects of Spanish colonialism are ever-present, as Guatemalans curiously associate ancient Mayan rituals with Catholicism and mix Spanish with over 20 native languages and dialects.

This interesting, fascinating and complex society is a really thought-provoking place to learn Spanish. If you want to dig deep into the ancient history of the Americas, Guatemala is the place for you.