Guatemala Facts

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FROM CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

República de Guatemala

Capital: Guatemala

Currency: quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD),others allowed

Exchange Rate: quetzales per US dollar -7.9465 (2004), 7.9409 (2003), 7.8216 (2002), 7.8586 (2001), 7.7632 (2000)

Population: 14,655,189 (July 2005 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino) approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%,whites and others 2%

Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Geography – Interesting Fact: Guatemala is the only Central American country with no Caribbean coastline.

Area: total: 108,890 sq km

Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands;cooler in highlands

Elevation:lowest point: Pacific Ocean0 m

highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Natural Resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Natural Hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms

Environmental Issues: deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

HIV/AIDS adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2003est.)

President: President Oscar Jose Rafael BERGER Perdomo (since 14 January 2004)

Independence from Spain: 15September 1821 (from Spain)

Economy Overview: Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil, Argentina,and Chile.The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war,removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but widespread political violence and corruption scandals continue to dampen investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors,upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit.

GDP Per Capita: $4,200 (2004 est.)

Population Below the Poverty Line: 75%(2004 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 7.5% (2003 est.)

Agriculture Products: sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens

Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Exports: coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom

International Disputes: Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the rain forests of Belize's border region; OAS is attempting to revive the 2002 failed referendum that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, ajoint ecological park for the disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package; Guatemalans enter Mexico illegally seeking work or transit to the US

Illicit Drugs: major transit country forcocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis formostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a majorstaging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is aserious problem; corruption is a major problem; remains on Financial ActionTask Force Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories List for continued failureto address deficiencies in money-laundering control regime