Guatemala

The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war.
In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100 000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)

border countries: Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico

related countries: Spain

Official Name:
República de Guatemala
short form: Guatemala
int'l long form: Republic of Guatemala

ISO Country Code: gt

Time:
Local Time = UTC -6h

Country Calling Code: +502

Capital City: Guatemala (City) (metro area pop. 2.5 million).

Other Cities: Quetzaltenango, Escuintla.

Government:
Type: Constitutional democratic republic.
Constitution: May 1985; amended November 1993.
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain).

Geography:
Location: Central America, bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) and the North Pacific Ocean.
Area: 108 890 sq. km. (42 042 sq. mi.)
Terrain: fertile coastal plains, mountainous.

Climate: Tropical on coasts, temperate in highlands.

People:
Nationality: Guatemalan(s).
Population: 14.3 million.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian), indigenous.
Religions: Christian, traditional Mayan.
Languages: Spanish, 24 indigenous languages (principally K'iche', Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi', and Mam).
Literacy: 70%

Natural resources: Petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower.

Agriculture products: Sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens.

Industries: Sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism.

Currency: Quetzal (GTQ), US Dollar (USD)

Guatemala in numbers
Guatemala key statistical data.