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Interesting Facts about Guatemala – What makes the place worth visiting?

Guatemala currently shares borders with El Salvador and Mexico. This was directed southeast, and northwest respectively. Officially, Guatemala is considered a Central American Country. It is also referred to as Republic of Guatemala. It garnered a lot of attention because of its captivating beauty. This is the right haven for individuals who want to relax and unwind over the holidays or the weekends. There is a tenfold of interesting facts about Guatemala that tourists owe to know. It is not just a sight to see. It is also coupled with luscious cuisine. It is the reflection of the Mayan civilization.

The country will always be ideal for nature lovers and adventurers. This is for sure. Guatemala is really beyond what it offers. It connotes various meanings. Basically, its name refers to Land of the Trees. This is how it is perceived in the Maya-Toltec language. There are individuals who like to believe that its name is obtained from Guhatezmalh. This also points to mountain that throws up water. Others find this bit really funny.

The national bird of Guatemala is Quetzal. This is also its currency. This specie has always been rare and fragile. The feather on the talk of the bird was the one utilized for the Maya Empire currency. The inhabitants of the said country. This started way back in the 18000 B.C.

It is surprising to know that even if the place is really small in size, a great number of volcanoes is present. To be specific, there are 20 of them in the place.

The main religion in Guatemala is Catholic. This is not surprising because there is an evident influence of Spanish in the country. Do not get this wrong though because occasionally, there are also the Mayan religion prevalent. It does exist in some places.

As comparing to the whole world, Guatemala is considered to be 107^th of the largest. Before it, Cuba was listed. Iceland on the other hand landed behind it.

Aside from the aforementioned, there is a 76% of literacy rate among adults. There is a lesser number for females, as compared to that of males. The population of it, 60% for that matter, is illiterate. Meaning, it does not know how to write and read. This is one of the reasons why it has been cited as an interesting fact on the country. Learning more about it appeals to a lot of people.

What is in store for most travelers?

The longest river found in Guatemala is called the Motagua River. This measures around 486 kilometers in length. In the northern highlands of the place, Atitlan is located. This means at the water. This is considered to be the deepest lake that is situated in the Central America. This is even dubbed as the most beautiful lake all over the world. There were many explorers who landed their feet on the place. Take Alduous Huxley. Guatemala is also highly visited because of this natural resource.

Facts about Edgar Allan Poe – What you didn’t know about him

Every literature student must have heard about Edgar Allan Poe. The author is inevitable in literature. There are common facts about Edgar Allan Poe that may be seen around the web. For instance, his mother’s name was Elizabeth Arnold. Edgar was only three years old when his mother passed away. On the other hand, his father was an identified alcoholic. This was the reason why he just abandoned Edgar and even two of his siblings. This was just right after the passing of his mother. It was surprising to know that his father was gone only after two days.

There were people who took care of Edgar. These were Frances and Joan Allan. However, he was not legally adopted. Despite this though, they were able to give Allan the education that he needed for the two were of a well-to-do family. Basically, Allan was only being sent money. There was no exact amount of this whatsoever. With this, he risked what he had in University of Virginia. In the long run, he was kicked out though. He was estranged after. This was the simple tidbits about his education.

A Closer Look at the Life of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar did not have a smooth relationship with his biological guardians who were enlisted in the army.

The moment he started writing, he utilized the name Edgar Allan Poe. This goes to show that he had to assume both surnames that he had. His obsession for cats was also taken note. As a matter of fact, he was known for writing with a cat near him, most of the time, on his shoulder.

Narrative of Author Gordon Pym of Nantucket, one of his works, talks about a capsizing of a boat, and as well as its members who drew straws to know who then would be devoured. Once they were done, they then ate Richard Parker. The bombing of the book was noted. This transpired because way back, the book of Poe was fictitious. It was not true, in any account and sense. A lot of critics wouldn’t like to believe whatever he was saying. Five years after the incident though, there was the same destruction that occurred with the same person, Richard Parker. However, there was no cannibalism involved in the scenario. It was in the year 1884 when a new case of shipwreck was accounted. That time though, the involvement of cannibalism was confirmed. It was verified that a person named Richard Parker was eaten.

Aside from the aforementioned, Poe was also popular for letting the public be exposed with detectives as literary characters. This was witnessed in The Murders in the Rue Morgue. There was a character here, the lead, which turned out to be an archetype of literary personalities today. Despite this though, there were still debates. A lot would like to claim that the idea “detective” was nonexistent in the year 1841. However, there were proofs pointing out that the said story was indeed printed in 1840.

Ovarian Cancer: Causes, Treatments, Prognosis and Prevention – Cancer of the Ovary

Ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries. The ovaries are part of our reproductive system and produce the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. When a woman is ovulating they release an egg into the fallopian tube every month. If it is not fertilized it is shed with the lining of the womb during menstruation.

During ovulation the ovary opens to let the egg out. This causes tiny tears on the lining, which our cells try to repair each month. Cancer can develop if this repair activity occurs too quickly – a growth of cells cluster, forming tumours on the ovary. The cells are behaving erratically and working against our DNA. This can be a result of genetics or linked to other factors such as lifestyle and environment.

Types of Ovarian Cancer

There are two main types:

• Epithelial is the most common, affecting the lining of the ovaries.
• Non-epithelial cancer starts in the cells of the ovaries.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

In 2014 the Department of Health, cancer charities and doctors defined the key symptoms of ovarian cancer: –

• Persistent pelvic or stomach pains.
• Continual bloating and weight gain on the stomach.
• Problems eating and getting full quickly.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms on a daily basis and you’ve noticed other changes such as tiredness, painful intercourse, abnormal bleeding or changes to your bowel habits, consult your GP.

Causes of Ovarian Cancer

Research is ongoing as to exact causes; however, certain factors increase the risk:

• In around 5% of cases it is hereditary.
• Endometriosis – in around 1/3 of cases.
• Early menstruation and late menopause – this is linked to damage to the ovary wall during ovulation. The more periods a woman has, the greater the risk of cell mutation.
• Ethnicity – research indicates women of Polish, Jewish, Icelandic or Pakistani descent are more at risk due to a faulty gene.
• Research is ongoing as to potential links with fertility treatment and HRT. One study found that long-term HRT users are 1.2 times more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
• Mutations in genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have been linked to ovarian and breast cancer.
• It is most common in post-menopausal women.

Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is staged and graded according to the aggression of the tumour and how far it has spread. Treatment is a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If it is caught early on (Stage 1: in the ovary only) surgery will be minimal and the prognosis for remission is excellent. If is has spread to other organs (stage 4) a hysterectomy or oophrectomy may be required to ‘debulk’ as much of the cancer as possible. Gene therapy and hormone therapy are currently in development.

Preventative Measures

Unlike cervical cancer, there is no national screening programme in place. A screening trial is currently underway and the results will be published in 2018. It is possible to be screened if you have a family history of ovarian cancer.

Pregnancy, breast feeding and taking the contraceptive pill can all reduce the risk. A 2015 study indicated a woman’s chances of developing ovarian cancer are significantly reduced if she takes the pill, with the effects lasting for up to 30 years after she stops taking it.

Cancer rates are higher in the west because obesity is more common and we eat a diet high in animal fats. Eat a low fat diet, which is rich in fruit and vegetables, maintain a healthy BMI and exercise regularly.