Guatemala

Statistics

Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Area: slightly smaller than Tennessee Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Natural Resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Arable Land: 12.54% Population: 14,655,189 (July 2005 est.)

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% (2001 census) Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Literacy (those who can read and write who are over 15 years old): total population: 70.6%

Government type: constitutional democratic republic Capital: Guatemala Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)

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 conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.

Study Abroad

• Semester in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua
• Ethnographic Field Studies