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GUATEMALA 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
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 Verapaz 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 as 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, non-democratic
governments, and various interventions by the United States. A 36-year war
between the guerilla and the Guatemalan Army ended in 1996 with the signing
of a peace treaty. Guatemalan state-sponsored violence ended in 1983,
leading to successive successful democratic elections from 1985 to date. The
most recent democratic election was in 2003. Guatemala still has not
addressed the inequity of an agriculturally based economy where 1% of the
population controls over 60% of the land and wealth.
Politics
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.
Departments
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
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.
In Mormon culture, Guatemala is the most popular traditional location of the
Book of Mormon land of Lehi-Nephi, though this is not official doctrine of
the LDS Church. The popular LDS tourism service, Israel Revealed, has
package tours that include various spots in Guatemala.
Economy
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.
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
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 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.
List of places in Guatemala
Modern cities and important towns
Antigua Guatemala
Chichicastenango
Chimaltenango
Chiquimula
Cobán
Escuintla
Flores
Guatemala City
Huehuetenango
Jalapa
Livingston
Mazatenango
Puerto Barrios
Puerto Quetzal
Quetzaltenango
Retalhuleu
San Marcos
Santa Cruz del Quiché
Solola
Zacapa
Ancient cities and important ruins
El Baul
Gumarcaj
Iximche
Kaminaljuyu
Machaquila
El Mirador
Mixco Viejo
Naranjo
Nakbé
Nakum
Piedras Negras
Quirigua
Seibal
Tikal
Uaxactun
Utatlan
Yaxha
Zaculeu
Natural Features
Caribbean Sea
Lago Atitlán
Lago Izabal
Lago Peten Itzá
Pacific Ocean
Volcán de Agua
Volcán de Fuego
List of national parks of Guatemala
National parks in Guatemala include:
Cerro Baúl
Grutas de Lanquín
Mirador Río Azul
Tikal
Río Dulce
Sipacate Naranjo
Sierra del Lacandon
Volcán de Agua
Volcán de Tajumulco
List of Guatemalans
This is a list of Guatemalans who are famous or notable.
Jacobo Arbenz
Ricardo Arjona, internationaly acclaimed signer incorporating political and
social satire.
Juan José Arévalo
Miguel Ángel Asturias, winner of the Nobel Prize in literature
Justo Rufino Barrios
Óscar Berger Perdomo
Rafael Carrera
Carlos Castillo Armas
Manuel Estrada Cabrera
Fernando Romeo Lucas García
Rigoberta Menchú, Maya female winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
Francisco Morazán
Alfonso Portillo Cabrera
Efraín Ríos Montt
Jorge Ubico
Transportation In Guatemala
Railways:
total: 884 km (102 km privately owned)
narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)
Highways:
total: 13,100 km
paved: 3,616 km (including 140 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,484 km (1996 est.)
Waterways:
260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water
season
Pipelines:
crude oil 275 km
Ports and harbors:
Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de
Castilla
Merchant marine:
none (1999 est.)
Airports:
477 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 466
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 124
under 914 m: 332 (1999 est.)
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