Guatemala Facts and Information Guatemala Background n n

Guatemala Facts and Information

Guatemala Background n n Incredible Mayan Influence Was ruled by Spain for three centuries before winning independence on September 15, 1821 Torn by civil war for 36 years (1960 -1996). Government signed peace treaty then to stop fighting. Casualties from the civil war had left some 100, 000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.

Guatemala Geography u Map of Guatemala and surrounding countries

Guatemala Geography Cont. u Guatemala borders Mexico on the northern side. u On the Southern Border, Guatemala neighbors El Salvador and Honduras. u Belize shares the western border. u The North Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Honduras surround Guatemala and the west and east coastline respectfully.

Guatemala Geography Natural Resources § § § Nickel Rare Woods Petroleum Hydro power Fish Chicle

Guatemala Gov. § Guatemala is broken down into 22 departments, similar to our states.

Guatemala Gov. Cont. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Alta Verapaz Baja Verapaz Chimaltenango Chiquimula El Petén El Progreso El Quiché Escuintla Guatemala Huehuetenango Izabal 12. Jalapa 13. Jutiapa 14. Quetzaltenango 15. Retalhuleu 16. Sacatepéquez 17. San Marcos 18. Santa Rosa 19. Sololá 20. Suchitepequez 21. Totonicapán 22. Zacapa

Guatemala Gov. Cont. § Guatemala is a constitutional democratic republic. § Their legal sytem is similar to ours. § They have the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches as we do.

Guatemala Religion § Guatemalans are primarily Roman Catholic.

Guatemala in a Nutshell l Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. l It is about the size of Tennessee. l Guatemala’s population is still increasing.