Guatemala, a Central American country south of Mexico, is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Antigua, west of the capital, contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán, formed in a massive volcanic crater, is surrounded by coffee fields and villages.
Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1%
Belief Systems: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Demographics:
Population: 15.9 million people (World Rank: 67th) (2014 estimate)
Population Density: 385 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 84th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 2.58 %/yr (World Rank: 31st) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 72.1 years (World Rank: 139th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 18.8 years (World Rank: 163rd) (2010 estimate)
Sites for More Information:
Map of Guatemala
Worldatlas.com
Country Profile for Guatemala
United Nations
Guatemala
Encyclopedia.com
Tourism:
Travel Info for Guatemala
Travelnotes.org
Language Resources:
Government Related:
Guatemalan Embassy
in Washington D.C.
Guatemalan Government Web Sites
by Gunnar Anzinger
