Capital of GuatemalaGuatemala City
Currency Quetzal, exchange rate:1 US$ = 8.19 Quetzals, Q (4 February 2010).
Administrative divisions22 departments; Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa.
Population12.7 millions growth rate 2.2% (July 2007). Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish, in local Spanish called Ladino) 59,4%, indigenous Mayan 40,3%, others 0,3%.
LanguagesSpanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi).
Religions
Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan.
Climate
Tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands.
Geography108,890 sq. km. Mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau in Peten.
National AnthemListen to the National Anthem of Guatemala
Public holidays
January 1 - New Years Day.
March/April - Easter Wednesday, Holy Saturday and Good Friday.
May 1 - Labor Day.
June 30 - Army Day.
August 15 - Virgen de la Asunción (Only Guatemala City).
September 15 - Independence Day (1821 from Spain).
October 20 - Revolution of 1944.
November 1 - All the Saints Day.
December 24 - Christmas Eve (from 12:00 p.m.).
December 25 - Christmas Day.
December 31 - New Years Eve (from 12:00 p.m.).
Newspapers
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Prensa Libre |
Siglo Veintiuno
Natural resourcesPetroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower.
IndustriesSugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism.
Agriculture productsSugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens.
GDPUS$ 61.4 billion, real growth rate 4.6%, per capita US$ 5,000 (2006 est.).
ExportsUS$ 6 billion (f.o.b., 2006 est.). coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom. |
