Modern Guatemala culture is very much influenced by their history. Guatemala used to be the core of the Mayan civilization, and as such Guatemala has a very unique culture that is hard to find in other countries. What ended up happening, though, is the Spanish conquered most of the country during the sixteenth century and attempted to make it part of their colony. While their modern history is plagued by uprisings and civil wars, there are still many remnants of the ancient Mayan culture, including the major Mayan city of Tikal. Tikal is the largest excavated site in America and is also one of the largest excavated sites in the world! The ancient city has about two hundred-twenty two square miles of jungle all around the ceremonial center,