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Country Fact File : Guatemala
Teach and Travel in Central America for 12 weeks.
The epitome of Mayan Central America, Guatemala has only recently come out the other side of more than thirty years of civil war but has always held great appeal for travelers, as here in Guatemala, you can see it all. It has a history of repression but a reputation for vibrancy. Best known for its mountainous and densely forested landscape, and for its Mayan temples and ruins, travelers to this country can be sure of an assault on their senses. Indigenous Guatemalan culture is alive and well, and is reflected in the blazing colours of everyday Mayan dress. Its volcanoes are the highest, its earthquakes the most devastating, its people the most friendly. Visit it!
| Location | Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico |
| Area | 108,890 sq km |
| Border Countries | Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico |
| Climate | Tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands |
| Terrain | Mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau |
| Highest Point | Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m |
| Natural Hazards | Numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms |
| Environmental Issues | Deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution |
| Population | 13,314,079 (July 2002 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups | Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2% |
| 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) |
| Type of Government | Constitutional Democratic Republic |
| Capital | Guatemala |
| Independence Day | 15 September 1821 (from Spain) |
| Chief of State/ Head of Government |
Chief of State: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
| Currency | quetzal & US Dollar |
| Time | GMT -6 |
Useful Numbers & Web Addresses
International dialing code: +502
Police tel: 110
Ambulance tel: 123
British Embassy: 7th Floor, Edificio Centro Financiero, Tower Two, 7a Avenida 510, Zona 4, Guatemala City. Tel (2) 321 601/2/4
Embassy in UK: 13 Fawcett Street, London SW10 9HN. Tel +44 (0) 20 7351 3042
01727 250250
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