GUATEMALA

Tito Geisinger Nazario Lash Ricardo Yatron

General Information Population: (July 2011) 14,099,032 Languages Spoken: Spanish (official) 60%,

American languages 40%, note: there are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca

Religion: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Indigenous Mayan beliefs

Ethnicity: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish – in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K’iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q’eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 Census)

Capital Capital: Guatemala City Location: It lays in a valley of the central

highlands at an elevation of 4,897 ft (1,493 m) above sea level.

Location Significance: Heavily

centralized. It is used for transportation, communications, businesses and politics. Most of this takes place in Guatemala City.

Bordering Countries: Guatemala is bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

Location: It is located in Central America.

Currency Quetzal (GTQ) 1 GTQ = 0.125274 USD 1 USD = 7.98250 GTQ

Major City #1 Cobán

Located in Central Guatemala It is the center of the major

coffee growing area Population is approximately

94,000 people It was developed by German

coffee growers towards the end of the 19th Century

It is also known as “Imperial City”

It is known for its terrific coffee growing

Major City #2 Guatemala City

Located in a mountain valley called Valle de la Ermita in the south central part of the country

Capital of Guatemala Population: 1,110,100 Guatemala City is the economic,

governmental, and cultural capital of the Republic. The city also functions as the main port of entry into the country, with international airport, La Aurora International Airport and most major highways in the country originating or leading to the city.

It was established in 1776 It is known as one of the best tourist

attractions in Guatemala.

Major City #3 Antigua

Located in Southern Guatemala Population: 34,685 Known for its very elaborate religious

celebrations during Lent leading up to Holy Week and Easter

Tourism is the main driver of the economy. Antigua is also a coffee-producing region of Anacafé.

Antigua GFC football club has played in the Guatemala top division for several years but have been playing in the second division lately. Their home stadium is the Estadio Pensativo which has a capacity of 9,000. They are nicknamed Los panzas verdes (“Green Bellies”).

People like to go there because it is a good place to learn Spanish.

Interesting Place #1 Tikal National Park

It is the largest known and studied Mayan City and it features groups of temples and plazas all around

It is located in Peten, Guatemala It matters because it is a great piece of Mayan

history.

Interesting Place #2 Antigua

It was once the third capital of the country before being at the mercy of many earthquakes and floods. However it is still a colonial architectural jewel which causes a lot of tourist attraction. It also contains three volcanoes and Fuego releases smoke daily.

It is located in the central highlands.

It matters because it is a very historical site with wonderful architecture.

Interesting Place #3 Lake Atitlan

One of the most beautiful lakes in the world and it was formed when the lid of a volcano was blown off during an explosion. Just like Antigua it is also surrounded by three volcanoes.

It is located in the scenic highlands of Guatemala

It matters because it is a fantastic Guatemalan landmark.

Interesting Place #4 Semuc Champey (Sacred Water)

It is a beautiful series of small ponds and pools on a natural bridge that crosses the Cahabon River where people can swim, hike, bird watch and do many more exciting activities

It is located on the Cahabon River It matters because it is a

wonderful, natural landmark in Guatemala and a great tourist attraction

Interesting Place #5 Volcán Santa María

Tourists can take a 5 hour hike up the volcano to see the breathtaking view, and they can see the lava in the crater of Santiaguito, an active volcano nestled below Santa Maria

It is located 60km from the Pacific Coast and 100km west of Guatemala City

It matters because tourists get to experience the natural beauty of Guatemala

10 Fun Facts1. Guatemala means the “Land of Trees”

in Mayan. It still has the largest protected tree reserves in all of Central America.

2. The highest mountain in Guatemala is the Tajamulco volcano it has an altitude above 4500 meters or 14000 ft.

3. Guatemala is ground zero for chocolate. They invented the first chocolate bar during Mayan Times

4. Guatemala is where Blue Denim was created for the first time (blue jeans). They soon became an international hit with Levis and other companies taking notice

5. The Mayan culture was rich in mathematical computations. They first created the concept of Zero

10 Fun Facts cont…6. Guatemala is the most populous Latin

American country7. There is a modern legend that Mayan

babies don’t cry. Where this legend came from was that every baby born was a warrior

8. Agriculture contributes as one-fourth of the country’s GDP. Coffee, bananas and sugar are the main products of the land.

9. Administratively, the country is divided into 22 departments and subdivided into 332 municipalities.

10. According to The Economist World, Guatemala was ranked as having the 2nd highest concentration of ozone in the world, in 2007

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2008. Web. 21 Sept. 2012. <http://trifter.com/carribean-latin-america/five-places-to-visit-in-guatemala/>.

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Web. 02 Oct. 2012. <http://semucchampey.tripod.com/>.

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Seach, John. "Santa María Volcano." Www.volcanolive.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. <http://www.volcanolive.com/santamaria.html>.