| In 1855, the Conservative Government
introduced the first names of streets in Guatemala, based on proper names,
for example 'Calle del Calvario, Calle de los Olvidos, Calle de la
Merced', etc. The names indicated important things about the buildings
located in each street or peculiar characteristics of the streets or
sectors. This first system was simple and easy to remember; nevertheless,
with the growth of the city, it was necessary to replace the system.
In 1877, the engineer Raúl Aguilar Batres proposed a new system of
nomenclature. The proper names were substituted by a numerical system,
still used today. The streets from north to south are called 'Avenida' and
the ones conducing from west to east are called 'Calle'. They were
enumerated and subdivided by the 8th Calle and the 6th Avenida with their
respective north, south, west and east parts.
Each house is identified with the number of Avenida or Calle, where it
is located and two more numbers, for example, 1 avenue 5-25. The number 5
corresponds to the Calle located on the corner of the Avenida; number 25
is the approximated distances of meters from Calle 5 to the house. That
is, that the house is located in Avenida 1, 25 meters from Calle 5. The
meters separating the houses from the Calles or Avenidas are approximated
because this nomenclature set the odd numbers in the Calles' north side
(5-25) and the even numbers in the Calles' south side (5-26). The
Municipality of Guatemala establishes the buildings' or houses'
nomenclature.
As for the nomenclature of the zones or districts, the central zone
(historic center) was taken as a starting point. The zones then expand
from this center in a form of a spiral, beginning in the north. This way,
the growth of the city has no limits. The zones are divided by the natural
geographic divisions or where the main roads are. For example, the Avenida
Aguilar Batres separates zones 11 and 12 and the Avenida Reforma divides
zones 9 and 10. Each of the zones has its own attraction, a secret to
discover; for that reason I'm inviting you to know a little more about the
different zones that have the most popular tourist attractions of the
capital.
Zone 1:
Is the historic center of the city. In 1775, when 'Guatemala de la
Asunción' was founded, the most important governmental and ecclesiastical
buildings were constructed here, as well as the houses of the main
families of the colonial epoch. The particular houses was characterized by
the mudejar architectonic style, with a construction so uniform that the
unique difference between houses was the size of the property. The public
buildings were constructed with the neoclassic architectonic style; almost
all of them had only one floor. Today, the core of zone 1, where the Plaza
Major with the most important governmental and ecclesiastical buildings is
located, is protected and conserved as Historical Heritage of the country.
In the vicinity of this zone, there are lots of shopping centers and
shops, such as shoes stores, boutiques, fabric stores and other
businesses, where you can buy good merchandise at low prices.
Zone 2:
At first, this zone was founded as an 'indigenous town' that was
transferred from Antigua Guatemala (the previous capital of the Kingdom).
With the construction of the North Hippodrome, during the Liberal
Government, lots of dwellings (belonging to some rich families) were
constructed in Avenida del hipódromo. Some of these houses are still
standing today, but they belong to private families. After an earthquake
in 1971, the famous Relief Map of Guatemalan Republic was constructed. It
is the unique map in the whole world that represents a whole country and
it is a tourist attraction well worth a visit.
Zone 4:
In 1890, during president Barillas term in office, the Exhibition canton
was formed and in its center the Guatemalan Pavilion of the Paris World
Exhibition was established. That was the first design for the district, in
the form of diagonals, of the routes and vias of zone 4. The Civic Center
of the city is located in this zone. Inside this center are the Bank of
Guatemala, the Guatemala Tourist Institution, the Supreme Court of
Justice, The Municipality of Guatemala and other governmental buildings.
These buildings were begun in 1954 and finalized in 1970. They are
decorated with murals that are an impressive attraction. In the Cultural
Center is the National Theater or Miguel Angel Asturias Theater,
constructed in 1978, containing, the Main Theater, the Chamber Theater,
the open-air theater, the Salon Dorado, the administration areas and
parking facilities. The building is shaped like a jaguar and the buildings
to its sides have been built to look like volcanoes, jaguars, etc. In this
huge arts center, you can see magnificent theater and musical events.
Zones 9 y 10:
In 1892, the creation of a public garden was decreed and the new
'Boulevard 30 de Junio' was created, today known as the Avenida La Reforma
(Reform Avenue). Traveling in this avenue is a very attractive trip
because of its gardens and the numerous statues of important personalities
and animals. This avenue separates zone 9 and 10, where the best hotels,
restaurants, night-clubs and shopping centers are located. Zone 10 is
known as the Zona Viva because there, there is a party almost every night.
Zones 13 y 14:
These zones are separated by the well-known Avenida de las Américas which
was made known in the Diario de Centroamérica in 1951. At one end of the
avenue, a small square was built to celebrate there the first Eucharistic
Congress, which took place in the same year. As its name suggests, the
avenue is dedicated to the American countries. In each corner, a metallic
picture with decoration made of forged iron was installed. Each picture
has the shield and the name of an American country. Along here you can see
beautiful gardens and an infinity of small squares and statues lining the
avenue.
Guatemala City continues to grow, as do its attractions which are
conserved in the refuge of its historical, cultural and natural patrimony. |