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GUATEMALA
The
Republic of Guatemala
 Area:
108,889 square km
Population: 11,237,196 (Census 2002), 14,650,000
(Estimate 2005)
Capital City: Guatemala City (population: 942,348 – Census
2002)
People: Mayan Indians (approximately 66%) speaking 22
different languages. There is also a small community of
'Garifuna' (of Caribbean descent). The remainders are
Guatemalans of Spanish and European descent.
Language(s):
Spanish, but 22
different Mayan languages principally (K'iche, Kakchiquel,
K'ekchi and Mam) and Garifuna are also officially recognised.
Many in the business community speak English.
Religion(s): Predominantly Roman Catholic (60%). The rest
are mainly Protestants. There are a small number of Jewish,
Moslem and other faith communities.
Basic Economic Facts:
Currency: Quetzal made up of one
hundred centavos. Approximately Q13.00 equal £1.00
GDP: US$ 23.3 billion (2004)
GDP per head: US$ 1,790 (2004)
Annual Growth: 3% (2005)
Inflation: 9% (2004)
Major industries: The agricultural sector accounts for
43% of all exports. Major commodities include coffee, sugar,
bananas and cardamom. Textiles account for 14% and
non-traditional products such as flowers, fruits and, ceramics
account for 33%. A major growth sector identified by the
government is tourism.
Major trading partners: USA, El Salvador, Honduras and
EU.
Aid & development: Mainly from USA, EU and Japan and
provides 25% of state expenditure which is 13% of GDP.
Exchange rate: Approx Q13 to £1.
Major political parties:
As at May
2005 the following parties were registered:
FRG - Frente Republicano Guatemalteco
PAN – Partido de Avanzada Nacional Guatemalteca
URNG – Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca
DIA – Desarrollo Intregral Autentico
PLP – Partido Libertador Progresista
UD – Union Democratica
MR – Movimiento Reformador
LOV – La Organizacion Verde
DCG – Democracia Cristiana Guatemalteca
PLG – Partido Laborista Guatemalteco
UN – Unidad Nacionlista
ANN – Alianza and Nueva Nación
MAS - Movimiento para Acción y Solidaridad.
Government: Guatemala has a unicameral Congress,
comprising 158 seats. Members are elected every four years and
are eligible for re-election. The President is elected by
universal suffrage for a single term of four years.
Head of State: Licenciado Oscar Berger Perdomo.
Prime Minister/Premier: None.
Foreign Minister: Licenciado Jorge Briz Abularach
Membership of international groupings/organisations:
Guatemala is a member of the Organisation of American States
(OAS), United Nations (UN), Central American Integration System
(SICA), San Jose Group, Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
DID YOU
KNOW?
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The name "Goathemala" was given by the
Spanish conquistadores, and derives from indigenous words
meaning, "Land of many trees".
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Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in
Central America.
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Although the official language is
Spanish, it is not universally understood among the
indigenous population; 23 distinct
Mayan languages are still spoken, especially in rural
areas.
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The government has instituted a policy
of providing altars at every Mayan ruin found in the country
so that traditional ceremonies may be performed there.
MEDIA
AND COMMUNICATIONS:
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