Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
The Maya 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 internal conflict.
- Capital
- Guatemala City
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 18,255,216
- Area
- 108,889 sq km
- Location
- Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Hondura…
- Climate
- tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
- Natural resources
- petroleum; nickel; rare woods; fish; chicle; hydropower
- Languages
- Spanish (official) 69.9%; Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%; K'iche 7.8%; Mam 4.4%…
- Religions
- Evangelical 45.7%; Roman Catholic 42.4%; none 11%; unspecified 0.9%
- Independence
- 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
- Administrative divisions
- 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progr…
- Currency
- quetzales (GTQ)
- Export partners
- USA 33%; El Salvador 11%; Honduras 9%; Nicaragua 6%…
- Import partners
- USA 30%; China 19%; Mexico 11%; El Salvador 4%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain