GuatemalaGuatemala"Libre Crezca Fecundo“ "Libre Crezca Fecundo“

"Grow Free and Fertile" "Grow Free and Fertile" by: Michael Rogersby: Michael Rogers

Jocotenango Iglesia

Flag of Guatemala

Guatemala… and capital

Good things to know…Good things to know…cont.cont. Official language – SpanishOfficial language – Spanish Local food - Cuisine from all over the world can be Local food - Cuisine from all over the world can be

found in Guatemala, including Asian, Indian, Middle found in Guatemala, including Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and other international Eastern, and other international tastestastes..

Good things to know…Good things to know…

Form of Government- Form of Government- Constitutional DemocraticConstitutional Democratic Republic Republic

Head of State- Head of State- President Álvaro Colom Caballeros (since 14 President Álvaro Colom Caballeros (since 14 January 2008): Vice President Rafael Espada January 2008): Vice President Rafael Espada

Independence- Independence- 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Population- Population- 13,400,000 (Mid-2007 est.) Source 2007 World 13,400,000 (Mid-2007 est.) Source 2007 World Population Data SheetPopulation Data Sheet

Capital-Capital- GuatemalaGuatemala

Suffrage-Suffrage- 18 years of age- active duty members of the armed 18 years of age- active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on

election dayelection day

BackgroundBackground

The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. estimates, some 1 million refugees.

EconomyEconomy

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

Economy… cont.Economy… cont.

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

EntertainmentEntertainment

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

ClimateClimate

Climate… cont.Climate… cont.

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

The End!!!!The End!!!!