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- 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.
History
Main article: History of Guatemala
From the 4th to the 11th
century, the lowlands area of the Peten 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 Vera Paz 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-colombian Maya books were lost due to the policy of
Spaniards during the colonial period of burning them. The Popol Vuh, a
pre-colombian Maya creation story, is one that survived.
Guatemala became independent of Spain in 1821, first briefly as part of Mexico, later 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 since been marked by revolutions, coups and non-democratic governments, mainly due to United States intervention around agrarian land reform issues. Guatemalan
state-sponsored violence ended in 1996, leading to successive successful democratic
elections in 1999 and 2003, that still have not
addressed the impact of an agriculturally based economy where 1% of the wealthy own over 60% of the land and wealth. U.S. President Bill Clinton publicly apologized to the people of Guatemala in the late 1990s recognizing for the first
time the US role in the state sponsored violence, a military campagin that resulted in over 100,000 Maya people including
children dead, and countless others missing and thousands more fleeing to Canada and the United States.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Guatemala
Guatemala's unicameral parliament, the Congreso de la República (Congress of the Republic) with 113
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
Guatemala is divided into 22 departments (departamentos):
- Alta Verapaz
- Baja Verapaz
- Chimaltenango
- Chiquimula
- El Petén
- El Progreso
- El Quiché
- Escuintla
- Guatemala
- Huehuetenango
- Izabal
- Jalapa
- Jutiapa
- Quetzaltenango
- Retalhuleu
- Sacatepéquez
- San Marcos
- Santa Rosa
- Sololá
- Suchitepequez
- Totonicapán
- Zacapa
Geography
Main article: Geography of Guatemala
Except for the coastal areas, Guatemala is mostly mountainous, with a hot tropical climate - more temperate in the highlands.
Most 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. After assuming office in January 1996, former President Álvaro Arzú worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political
modernization.
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. Growth should remain at the same
level in 2000 provided world agricultural prices do not plunge.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of
Guatemala
More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Maya people.
Westernized Maya and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. African descendants also exist in Guatemala,
especially along the Caribbean coast, notably the Garifuna people. Most of
Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. 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 Maya languages are
still spoken, especially in rural areas.
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 cost, influences of the African culture can be seen, heard and tasted in the religious ceremonial songs, the dances and
food.
Miscellaneous topics
External links
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