Guatemala
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Republic of Guatemala
Country name - conventional short form : Guatemala
Country name - local long form : Republica de Guatemala
Country name - local short form : Guatemala
Government type : constitutional democratic republic
Capital - name : Guatemala
Capital - time difference : UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Population : 13,002,206 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Guatemalan(s)
Nationality - adjective : Guatemalan
Languages : Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Currency (code) : quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed
Currency code : GTQ; USD
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk : intermediate
Guatemala is located Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize. The climate is tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands. The terrain is mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : The Mayan 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, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.
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