GUATEMALA
INFORMATION
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Guatemala is located in Central America, bordering the Pacific Ocean to the East and the Caribbean Sea to the West. It is bordered by Belize to the Northeast, Mexico to the north, and with Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Guatemala was the heart of the flourishing Maya Indian civilization from 500AD to 900AD. After the collapse of the lowland Maya cities in late 800sAD, the Maya cities of the central highland mountains continued until they were conquered by the Spanish, who first arrived in 1523AD and colonized the area. Guatemala became independent of Spain in 1821. More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Maya people and mestizos (a mix of European and indigenous ancestry). Most of Guatemala's population is rural. The predominant religion in Guatemala is Roman Catholic, but in recent years Evangelical religion is on the rise. Both Protestant and traditional Mayan religions are practiced. The official language is Spanish, but it is often the second language among some the indigenous population. Several Maya language dialects are still spoken, especially in rural areas. Guatemala's currency is the Quetzal, named for its national bird, the Resplendent Quetzal. Click here for current exchange rate. Guatemalan has a history of revolutions, coups and non-democratic governments. The last guerilla war ended in December 1996 with the signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, leading to successful democratic elections in 1999, 2003 and 2007. The agricultural sector exports, coffee, sugar, and bananas and occupies one half of the labor force. Tourism has now become an important part of the country's income. Except for the coastal areas, Guatemala is mostly mountainous. Most of the cities and population are situated in the southern half of the country. The country is divided into 22 states called departments, each with a capital.
Guatemala, originally known as Goathemala, "land of trees", is part of Central America. Within its borders is the largest cloud forest of the region, plus the approximately 1,400,000 hectares part of Maya Biosphere Reserve. The biological diversity of the isthmus has enabled Guatemala to rank among the 25 countries with the greatest variety of natural resources in the world. Millions of species reside in the diverse ecosystems that are found here, and unfortunately, most of them are in danger of extinction. Guatemala has 18 ecosystems, Over 300 microclimates and more than 37 volcanoes, of which Santa Maria, Santiaguito, Pacaya & Fuego are active. Studies show that rainforests (sometimes called the lungs of the world) and ecosystems serve as a massive air filter to clean the atmosphere of pollutants and produce oxygen that extends much farther than the borders of Guatemala and tropical Central America itself. The forests of Guatemala, and of every country in the world, are part of the solution to the problem of global warming. Guatemala possesses great natural and cultural richness. Contributing to the cultural richness is the ethnic diversity. In some ways local populations live out their entire lives in harmony with the jungle. However in other ways, for generations, they have unknowingly been destroying their future with slash & burn agriculture. Needless to say, the Guatemala jungle is in great danger, because of uncontrolled exploitation of its natural resources, legal and illegal deforestation, the sacking of archaeological sites and the extermination of exotic species. Those who live and visit the Guatemalan jungle have joined forces and called for world attention to the situation. Today, this destruction of the natural resources continues at an alarming rate. At La Casa De Don David, we are strong believers in sustainable tourism policies. As eco-travelers, please give your support by visiting the country without leaving a trace, respecting nature, the indigenous people and by supporting localized sustainable development. Our communities need the tropical rainforest in order to survive. Hopefully the sustainable tourism programs that are being established in reserves and communities will provide an alternative solution to the continued destruction. By promoting the cultural and natural sites of Guatemala, we are supporting the preservation of life in the neo tropics. We endeavor to make Guatemala a true-life sanctuary. Please help to preserve it.
Guatemala’s
climate varies according to altitude. The coastal regions and the north
are hot throughout the year with an average temperature of 20°C
(68°F) sometimes rising to 37°C (99°F). Generally, nights
are clear all year round. In higher climes, near the center of the
country, the rainy season, running from May to September, is
characterized by clear skies after abundant rainfall in the afternoons
and evenings. Temperatures fall sharply at night. Guatemala
annual rainfall ranges from 70 inches in the North to almost 200 inches
in the South. To the north in the Peten area, the normal rainy season
is June through October and the dry season is March through May, but is
variable. In recent years global weather conditions and changes are
making
traditional
predictions somewhat invalid. Generally the weather is good, but if
you
happen to be there during any small tropical storm it can rain for
several days. For the Peten area, late October through February are the
cooler months, with December through February temperatures getting as
low as 11°C or
51°F, if
only for a few days. Most visitors find these months the most pleasant
to visit the area. March through May are normally the worst, being very
hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 37°C (99°F). Average
humidity
for Petén is 85%. Average rainfall in El Remate area is 62
inches.
Guatemala
facts 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 was freed of Colonial Spanish rule 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. National Parks
and protected areas: Guatemala first established
National Parks in 1955 and has many legally declared protected areas to
include: Tikal, Yaxhá-Nakúm-Naranjo, Mirador-Rio
Azul, Laguna del Tigre, Sierra del Lacandón, Naachtún -
Dos Lagunas, Cerro Cahuí, San Miguel La Palotada-El Zotz, Biotopo
del Quetzal, Grutas de Lanquin, Sierra de
las Minas, Rio Dulce, Chocon Machacas. Geographic
coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W Map
references: Area:
Area
- comparative: slightly smaller than Land
boundaries: Coastline:
400 km Climate:
tropical; hot,
humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain:
mostly mountains
with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten) Elevation
extremes: Natural
resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Land
use: Natural hazards live volcanoes in mountains, with occasional
violent earthquakes; Environment
- current issues: deforestation in the Peten rainforest; water
pollution; soil erosion Population: 12,728,111 ( 0-14 years: 40.8% (male 2,641,179/female 2,556,397) 15-64 years: 55.5% (male 3,426,376/female 3,642,157) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 213,801/female 248,201) (2007 est.) Population
growth rate: 2.152% (2007 est.) Nationality:
Ethnic
groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian
- in local
Spanish called Ladino), approximately 56%, Amerindian or predominantly
Amerindian, approximately 44% Religions:
Roman Catholic,
Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Languages:
Spanish 60%, Amerindian
languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including
Quiche,
Cakchiquel,
Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Literacy:
Country
name: Data
code: GT Government
type: constitutional democratic republic Capital:
Guatemala National
holidays: New Year's Day, January 01; Good Friday; Easter Sunday;
Labor Day, May 01; Army Day, 30 June; Independence Day, 15 September
(1821); All Saints Day, November 01. note: suspended Legal
system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has
not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage:
18 years of age;
universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote) Executive
branch: Legislative
branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la
Republica (158
seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) Judicial
branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia;
additionally the
Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the president of the
Supreme Court,
judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress Diplomatic representation in the Diplomatic
representation from the
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