| Guatemala |
| Zacapa |
| Huehhuetenango |
| Mazatenango |
| Uaxactun . |
| . El Zotz |
Local date and time Population 12,728,111 (July 2007) Capital Guatemala City Area 108,890 sq km language Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (There are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Currency Quetzals Time GMT -6 hours Budget US$ 20 to 25 per day Electricity 110 volts US plugs Climate Tropical, hot and humid in lowlands, cooler in highlands Safety Follow this link |
| Guatemala is the northernmost country in Central America, with borders to Mexico, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. For many years Guatemala claimed that all or parts of the country of Belize was in fact part of Guatemala. They recognised the independence of Belize in 1990 but territorial disputes continue. The country is mostly mountainous, except on the Pacific coast and the Peten province in the north of the country. Volcan Tajumulco, the highest mountain in Central America at 4,220 m is located in the western highlands of Guatemala near the town of Quetzaltenango. Evidence of human habitation in Guatemala dates back to before 10,000 BC. The most populated city of Mesoamerica was El Mirador, now a rarely visited archaeological site in north Peten. There they found the remains of a pyramid thought to have once been the largest pyramid in the world, bigger than the pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The Spanish first came to Guatemala around 1518, wiping out large amounts of the indigenous population with the diseases they brought. The first three attempts at establishing a capital city failed due to floods, earthquakes or attacks by native tribes, before it was eventually settled in Guatemala City in 1776. Civil war in the 1970s and president Rios Montt's "Scorched Earth" policy in 1982 led to the killing of tens of thousands of indigenous people. The war ended after 35 years in 1996 but progress has been slow. Today, Guatemala is experiencing a boom in tourism. With ancient Mayan sites, beautiful colonial towns, volcanoes, caves, lakes and other natural wonders there is plenty to see and do. Indigenous people make up almost half the population, many still keep their traditional dress and culture. There are around 21 different ethnic groups in Guatemala, speaking 23 different languages. |
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