Guatemala

National name:
República de Guatemala

Government
Constitutional democratic republic.

Geography
The northernmost of the Central American nations. Its neighbors are Mexico on the north and west, and Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador on the east. The country consists of three main regions—the cool highlands with the heaviest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén). Historical Background 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 left more than 100,000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees

Facts & Figures

Name

Guatemala

Capital

Guatemala City

Government

Presidential republic

Language

Spanish

Religion

50 - 60% Catholic, 40% Protestant

Area

108,890 km2  

Population

13,276,517 

Currency

Quetzal (GTQ)