Measurements commonly used in Guatemala
Una Manzana = 10.000 sq. "varas" = 1.73 acres = 0.7 hectares.
Una Hectárea = 10,000 sq. meters = 1.43 manzanas = 2.47 acres.
(Seldom used by campesinos, but common with professionals.)
Una Caballería = 64.6 manzanas.
*Una Cuerda de 25 varas = 25 x 25 varas - 625 sq. varas =
1/16th. of a manzana.
(Commonly used on the South Coast.)
Una Cuerda de 30 varas = 900 sq. varas = 0.09 manzanas.
Una Cuerda de 40 varas = 1,600 sq. varas = 1/16th. of a manzana.
*(Cuerdas of 16 varas and 32 varas are also used but are much less common.)
LENGTH
Una Vara = 32.9 ins. = 83.6 cm. (Very common.)
Una Cuarta = l/4 vara = approx. 8 ins. = 20.3 cm.
(Measured as the distance between the thumb and the little finger when spread apart.)
Un Jeme = ahout 6 - 61/2 ins. = about 15-16 cm.
(Distance between the index finger and thumb when spread apart.)
Un Metro = 39.387 ins. = 100 cm. (Mach less common than the vara.)
Una Yarda = 36 ins. = 91.44 cm. (Seldom used by campesinos.)
Una Pulgada = one inch = 2.54 cm. (Common.)
Un Kilómetro = 1,000 meters = 0.625 miles (5/8 mile.)
Una Legua = 5,000 varas = 4,000 meters = 4 kilometers = 2.48 miles.
Una Brazada = 2 varas (Distance between 2 arms spread out.)
WEIGHT
Una Libra = 16 ounces = 0.45 kilograms = 454 grams.
Una Onza = one ounce = 28.4 graos.
Un Kilogramo = 1,000 grams = 2.2 lbs. = 35.21 ounces. (Uncormon.)
Ura Arroba = 25 lbs.
Un Quintal = 100 lbs.
Una Carga = 200 lbs. = 2 quintales.
Una Tonelada = 2,000 lbs. = 20 quintales.
Una Tonelada Métrica = 1,000 kg. = 2,204 lbs. (Uncommon.)
Un Almud = 50 lbs.
VOLUME
Una Botella = 1/S of a gallon = 0.757 liters = 757 cc. = 3/4 liter.
Un Litro = 1,000 cc. = 1.057 quarts.
Un Galón = 128 onzas = one gallon = 3.785 liters = 5 botellas.
Un Octavo = 1/8 liter.
Una Medida Bayer = 25 cc.
Una Onza = 29.6 cc. líquida.
FIREWOOD
Una Tarea de leña = 4 x 1 x 1 varas = approx. 400 leños.
Una Carga de leña = 80 leños.
MONEY, ETC.
("Modismos")
Pisto = money
Ficha = coin
Choca = 25 ¢ coin
Len = 1 ¢ (cinco len = 5 ¢)
Sencillo = loose change
Fiado = on credit
Multa = a fine
Mordida = a bribe
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