Avenida Reforma

Avenida Reforma ("Reform Avenue") is a main boulevard in the east-center part of Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala. It is considered one of the main, if not the most important thoroughfare of Guatemala City. It passes through some of the richest areas of the city, and it is considered a highly desirable location to reside in. It and the surrounding part of Guatemala city are considered as the "Modern Downtown", giving reference to Zone 1, being the "Historic Center", which was as the name says, the original Spanish colonial area in the city. It's a little over 2 km (1 mi) in length, and has an average width of 60 meters (197 ft) from sidewalk to sidewalk, only getting a bit narrower at its northernmost part, before merging with five other streets, in a roundabout southeast of Zone 4.

Running from north to south, it connects the northern areas of the city (Zone 4, Zone 5, both of them serving as the gateway to Avenida Reforma for Zone 1) with the southern districts (Southern tip of Zone 4, Zone 9, Zone 10 subsequently as Avenida Las Americas divides both Zone 13 and Zone 14)and divides zone 9 from zone 10.

It features a broad park-like median, lined with trees and monuments. With the years the boulevard became one of the finest addresses in the city. Adjacent, the Zona Viva and multiple modern buildings can be found. Older buildings are the polytechnical school and some private villas. The southern end is at the Obelisco, where it is continued by Avenida Las Americas.

History

Its name commemorates the reformation of the country by president Justo Rufino Barrios. It was built in 1897 under president José María Reina Barrios, inspired by the Champs Elysées in Paris. The name was changed several times: from Bulevar 30 de Junio, Bulevar de La Reforma and Paseo de La Reforma to its present name.