Guatemala "Libre Crezca Fecundo“ "Grow Free and Fertile" by: Michael Rogers Jocotenango Iglesia

Flag of Guatemala

Guatemala… and capital

Good things to know…cont. Official language – Spanish Official language – Spanish Local food - Cuisine from all over the world can be found in Guatemala, including Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and other international tastes. Local food - Cuisine from all over the world can be found in Guatemala, including Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and other international tastes.tastes

Good things to know… Form of Government- Constitutional Democratic Republic Head of State- President Álvaro Colom Caballeros (since 14 January 2008): Vice President Rafael Espada Independence- 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Population- 13,400,000 (Mid-2007 est.) Source 2007 World Population Data Sheet Capital- Guatemala Suffrage- 18 years of age- active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day

Background The Mayan 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 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, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. The Mayan 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 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, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.

Economy Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. On 1 July 2006, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force between the US and Guatemala and has since spurred increased investment in the export sector. Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of GDP, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products, with sugar exports benefiting from increased global demand for ethanol. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala since then has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. On 1 July 2006, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force between the US and Guatemala and has since spurred increased investment in the export sector.

Economy… cont. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with about 56% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with about 56% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking and rampant crime, and narrowing the trade deficit. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports.

Entertainment Guatemala City is a city of contrasts, where the historic riches of the country are interlaced with the modernity of a metropolitan capital. If you want to enjoy yourself, you are in the right place. Guatemala City has many places to have fun for children and adults alike. Guatemala City is a city of contrasts, where the historic riches of the country are interlaced with the modernity of a metropolitan capital. If you want to enjoy yourself, you are in the right place. Guatemala City has many places to have fun for children and adults alike.

Climate

Climate… cont. Temperature varies with altitude. The average annual temperature on the coast ranges from 25° to 30°C (77° to 86°F); in the central highlands the average is 20°C (68°F), and in the higher mountains 15°C (59°F). In Guatemala City, the average January minimum is 11°C (52°F) and the maximum 23°C (73°F); the average minimum and maximum temperatures in July are, respectively, 16°C (61°F) and 26°C (79°F). The rainy season extends from May to October inland and to December along the coast, and the dry season from November (or January) to April. Because of its consistently temperate climate, Guatemala has been called the "Land of Eternal Spring." Temperature varies with altitude. The average annual temperature on the coast ranges from 25° to 30°C (77° to 86°F); in the central highlands the average is 20°C (68°F), and in the higher mountains 15°C (59°F). In Guatemala City, the average January minimum is 11°C (52°F) and the maximum 23°C (73°F); the average minimum and maximum temperatures in July are, respectively, 16°C (61°F) and 26°C (79°F). The rainy season extends from May to October inland and to December along the coast, and the dry season from November (or January) to April. Because of its consistently temperate climate, Guatemala has been called the "Land of Eternal Spring."

The End!!!!