Guatemala: Difference between revisions

For the city, see Guatemala City.

The Republic of Guatemala is a country in Central America, in the south of the continent of North America, bordering both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Belize to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

República de Guatemala

Flag of Guatemala Guatemala Coat of Arms (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: None
Official language	Spanish (Official) (23 indigenous languages have been officially recognised, but all transactions are in Spanish)
Capital	Guatemala City
President	Óscar Berger
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 103rd 108,890 km² 0.4%
Population  - Total (2004)  - Density	Ranked 62nd 14,655,189 119/km²
Independence	from Spain September 15, 1821
Currency	Quetzal
Time zone	UTC-6
National anthem	Guatemala Feliz
Internet TLD	.gt
Calling Code	502

History

Main article: History of Guatemala

From the 3rd century BCE to the 11th century CE, the lowlands area of the Petén region of Guatemala was the heart of the flourishing Maya civilization.

After the collapse of the lowland states, the Maya states of the central highlands continued until conquered by the Spanish, who first arrived in 1523 and colonised the area. Alta Verapaz is known for the fact that after failing to conquer it by the sword the Spanish entered by the cross, with missionaries. Almost all Pre-Columbian Maya books were lost due to the policy of Spaniards during the colonial period of burning them. The Popol Vuh, a Pre-Columbian Maya creation story, is one that survived.

Guatemala became independent of Spain in 1821, first as a part of the United Provinces of Central America. This confederation fell apart in a war from 1838 to 1840, and Guatemala became an independent nation.

Guatemalan history has been marked by various interventions by the United States. The Central Intelligence Agency with little support from Guatemalan citizens, orchestrated the overthrow of the democratic Guatemalan government in 1954. This was known as Operation PBSUCCESS and led to a period of unrest in the nation in which over 100,000 Guatemalans were killed in a war that lasted over 3 decades. Further involvedment of the CIA in Guatemala included the training of 5,000 Cuban anticastristas on Guatemalan soil for what would become the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion.

1996 marked the end of a bloody 36-year war with the marxist-guerrilla Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unit (URNG). The signing of the peace treaty was orchestrated by Richard Aitkenhead, currently a top advisor to President Oscar Berger. Since then the country has enjoyed successive democractic elections, the most recent of which was in 2003. Corruption, however, continues to run rampant throughout all levels of government.

Guatemala has long claimed all or part of the territory of neighboring Belize. While Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1991 (ten years after the fact), the border between them has not yet been finalized. Negotiations are currently underway under the auspices of the Organization of American States to conclude the dispute. For further details, see: Foreign relations of Belize, Belize–Guatemala Territorial Issue.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Guatemala

Guatemala's unicameral parliament, the Congreso de la República (Congress of the Republic) with 158 seats, is elected every four years, concurrently with the presidential elections. The President of Guatemala acts as the head of state and head of government. In his executive tasks, he is assisted by a cabinet of ministers, which he appoints.

See also: Guatemala election, 2003

Departments

Main article: Departments of Guatemala

The departments of Guatemala

Guatemala is divided into 22 departments (departamentos):

1. Alta Verapaz
2. Baja Verapaz
3. Chimaltenango
4. Chiquimula
5. El Petén
6. El Progreso
7. El Quiché
8. Escuintla
9. Guatemala
10. Huehuetenango
11. Izabal
12. Jalapa
13. Jutiapa
14. Quetzaltenango
15. Retalhuleu
16. Sacatepéquez
17. San Marcos
18. Santa Rosa
19. Sololá
20. Suchitepequez
21. Totonicapán
22. Zacapa

Geography

File:Gt-map.jpg

Map of Guatemala

Main article: Geography of Guatemala

Except for the south coastal area, and the vast lowlands of the Peten in the north, Guatemala is mountainous, with a hot tropical climate – more temperate in the highlands, and drier in the easternmost departments. All of the major cities are situated in the southern half of the country; the major cities are the capital Guatemala City, Quetzaltenango and Escuintla. The large lake Lago de Izabal is situated close to the Caribbean coast.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Guatemala

The agricultural sector accounts for one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Manufacturing and construction account for one-fifth of GDP.

The signing of the peace accords in December 1996, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused relatively little damage to Guatemala compared to its neighbors.

Remaining challenges include beefing up government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, and increasing the efficiency and openness of both government and private financial operations

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Guatemala

According to the CIA World Fact Book, Mestizos (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and Europeans comprise 59.4% of the population and Amerindians comprise 40.5% of the population (K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1%).

CIA World Fact Book - http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gt.html

Though most of Guatemala's population is rural, urbanization is accelerating. Guatemala city is expanding at an amazing rate, and Quetzaltenango is growing rapidly as well. Generally impoverished farmers move to the outskirts of the city temporarily or permanently seeking higher wages. These barrios are virtually lawless. In addition, since 2001 the US has been deporting at a high rate. Many Guatemalans return from Southern California with advanced skills in organized crime. Crime is epidemic in Guatemala City and is a growing concern in Xela and other smaller cities.

Smaller towns which are blessed with steady tourism, such as the towns around Lago Atitlan, are faring better. There is a measure of increasing prosperity and decreasing interference from the army. A lot of building is going on. It remains to be seen how well these places can adapt to the changes conditions, particularly the influx of extraneros and their vices.

The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Maya religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively.

Though the official language is Spanish, it is not universally understood among the indigenous population; various Mayan languages are still spoken, especially in rural areas. This is less true among the younger generation because the parents are doing everything possible to teach their children spanish. There are still many more remote rural areas where opportuninities to learn spanish are limited.

The Peace Accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages (see summary of main substantive accords).

Culture

Main article: Culture of Guatemala

Main influences of the Maya and Spanish colonists can still be seen throughout Guatemala. Much of the clothing and food is still made in the traditional Maya way, and many Maya ruins can be found. Along the Caribbean coast, influences of the African culture can be seen, heard and tasted in the religious ceremonial songs, the dances and food.

See also: Music of Guatemala

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Guatemala
• Foreign relations of Guatemala
• List of national parks of Guatemala
• List of places in Guatemala
• List of famous Guatemalans
• Military of Guatemala
• Plan de Sánchez massacre
• Transportation in Guatemala

External links

• UK Foreign Office Country Profile for Guatemala
• Spanish Schools in Guatemala
• Congreso de la República – Congress of the Republic of Guatemala (in Spanish)
• Organismo Judicial de Guatemala Judicial Branch of Guatemala (in Spanish)
• Guatemala Institute of Tourism
• Guatemala Travel
• Guatemala from Space
• Guatemala hotel listing and reservations (In English)
• Maya Spirit – (in Spanish)
• The Rose Education Foundation
• World Factbook entry for Guatemala
• Amnesty International Annual Report 2004 – Guatemala
• PhotoGlobe - Guatemala - georeferenced photos of Guatemala