Central America.

GMT - 6.

108,889 sq km (42,042 sq miles).

13 million (UN, 2005).

119.3 per sq km.

Guatemala City. Population: 942,348 (2002).

Guatemala is located in Central America and shares borders to the north and west with Mexico, to the southeast with El Salvador and Honduras, to the northeast with Belize and the Caribbean sea and to the south with the Pacific ocean. The landscape is predominantly mountainous and heavily forested. A string of volcanoes rises above the southern highlands along the Pacific, three of which are still active. Within this volcanic area are basins of varying sizes which hold the majority of the country’s population. The region is drained by rivers flowing into both the Pacific and the Caribbean. One basin west of the capital has no river outlet and thus has formed Lake Atitlán, which is ringed by volcanoes. To the northwest, bordering on Belize and Mexico, lies the low undulating tableland of El Petén, 36,300 sq km (14,000 sq miles) of almost inaccessible wilderness covered with dense hardwood forest. This area covers approximately one-third of the national territory, yet contains only 40,000 people.

Under the 1986 constitution, legislative power is vested in a single-chamber elected assembly with 80 members directly elected every four years. The President, also elected every four years, holds executive power.

Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821. Head of State and Government: President Oscar Berger Perdomo since 2003. Recent history: The most recent polls in December 2003 brought victory for the Frente Republicano - Guatemalteco (FRG) for a second consecutive term. The FRG and the Plan por el Adelantamiento Nacional (National Advance Party, PAN) now dominate Guatemalan politics. Only now has the Government been prepared to admit that its predecessors, especially the Rios Montt regime, were responsible for massive human rights abuses: this is still a central and highly sensitive issue in Guatemalan domestic politics. Abroad, the main issue facing the country remains the dispute with neighbouring Belize, over which Guatemala has territorial claims; 1993 saw the signing of a non-aggression pact by the two Governments, and as a concession, Belize granted the Guatemalans access to its maritime facilities. The following year, however, the Guatemalan government reasserted its territorial claim at the UN; in 2000, it did so again, claiming half of Belize’s current territory. Despite international mediation efforts, relations between the two remained tense. Then, in September 2002, the Organisation of American States (the main pan-regional political alliance) brokered a draft settlement of the dispute which may form the basis for a permanent accord.
Under the 1986 constitution, legislative power is vested in a single-chamber elected assembly with 80 members directly elected every four years. The President, also elected every four years, holds executive power.

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and major hotels and restaurants. 22 indigenous languages are also spoken.

The constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but 60 per cent of the population are Catholic. Most of the remaining population are Protestant. Some indigenous communities hold services combining Catholicism with pre-Columbian rites.

Guatemala is the most populated of the Central American republics and is the only one which is predominantly Indian, although the Spanish have had a strong influence on the way of life. Full names should be used when addressing acquaintances, particularly in business. Dress is conservative and casual wear is suitable except in the smartest dining rooms and clubs.
Photography: Locals are often suspicious of foreigners taking photographs, particularly of young children. Before approaching children for photos, or even just to talk to them, you should check with an an adult that this is acceptable. However, if you are in any doubt, refrain from doing so. You may be asked to pay a small amount of money to take photographs of both children and adults.

115-125 volts AC, 60Hz. There are some regional variations.