1. LA REPUBLICA DE GUATEMALA

2. GEOGRAFIA Guatemala is located in Central America, neighboring Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador There are 3 main regions in Guatemala: The cool Highlands, Tropical (on both coasts), The tropical jungle (northern lowlands) known as Peten

3. EL CLIMA -Avg temperature is 72 across the country, but varies due to altitude -two seasons: rainy (May-October) and dry (November-April) Like most Central American countries, the beaches are warmer and dryer than other regions

4. GOBIERNO/ECONOMIA Constitutional Democratic Republic Current President: Perez Molina Three branch government Multi-party system

5. Currency: Quetzal Population: 14.6million Capital and largest city is Guatemala City (Guate): 3.2 million Largest Exports: Coffee/ Sugar/ Bananas Major economic problems: Poverty lack of infastructure Drug Use/Trafficking

6. TRAGEDIA “La Mina” is located just outside of Guatemala City Thousands of Guatemaltecos live and work here

7. HISTORIA Guatemala was home to the Mayan Civilization The Mayans were conquered by Spaniard Pedro de Alvarado in 1524 Following conquest, Guatemala was a part of the Captaincy of Guatemala for close to 300 years (including parts of southern Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica). The Captaincy became independent in 1821 and was a part of the first Mexican Empire until 1824 In 1824 a Federal Republic of Central America was formed that later dissolved in 1841 when Guatemala became fully independent

8. By 1960 the country was plunged into civil war between military regimes. US cut off military aid due to the brutality and abuse of human rights that were taking place. The Mayan people had been singled out by brutality By the end of the war in the mid 1970’s, 200,000 people were dead A new constitution was passed and a new government was elected in 1986 LA GUERRA CIVIL

9. HOLIDAYS/FIESTAS New Year’s/ Christmas/ Easter Day of the Cross- May 3 Army Day- June 30 Assumption- August 15 Independence Day-September 15 Revolution Day- October 20

10. MUSICA Y COMIDA La Marimba is native to Guatemala and it is a wooden instrument Marimba Chapinladia Atole de Elote Pan Dulce Los Chuchitos El Fiambre

11. FAMOUS GUATEMALTECOS Rigoberta Menchu: Nobel Peace Prize 1992; Feminist and humanitarian Jose Luis Alvarez: Painter Oscar Isaac- Actor (Guatemalan-American)

12. TURISMO Tikal Lake Atitlan 30 Volcanoes Santa Catalina Arch