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Guatemala |
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Courtesy of the
University of Texas Libraries, The University of
Texas at Austin.
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National
Icthus Director or Coordinator: |
Julio Paz / Ludwick
Escobar |
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Capital: |
Guatemala |
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Population: |
12,661,000 |
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Population
under age 15: |
42% |
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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% |
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National Products: |
sugarcane, corn,
bananas, coffee, beans, sugar, textiles and
clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum |
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GDP (Per capita gross domestic product): |
$1,963 |
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Currency: |
quetzal (GTQ), US
dollar (USD), others allowed |
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Life Expectancy at Birth: |
65 years |
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Infant Mortality: |
37 deaths/1000 live
births |
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Protestant / Evangelical Churches: |
22,000 |
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History of Country: As one of
the largest country in Central America, Guatemala is situated in
a
region of frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Major
earthquakes occurred four times since 1717. Antigua, the
original capital city of Guatemala established by the Spanish,
was destroyed in 1773. In 1976 an earthquake killed some 30,000
people and left about 20% of the population homeless.
Archeological evidence revealed that Guatemala was inhabited
around 9000 B.C., and by 2,500 B.C. pre-Maya people were settled
there. In 1523, the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Alvarado took
control of Guatemala and became its captain general. Mayan lands
were seized and Indians were forced into compulsory labor on
coffee plantations. Central America became independent
from Spain in 1821; Guatemala first joined the new United
Provinces of Central America in 1823, and became an independent
and sovereign state in 1847.
Over the years, Guatemala experienced tremendous political and
power struggling between left-wing and right-wing interests.
Because of human rights abuse and corruption peasants formed a
guerrilla opposition. The civil war started in 1960 and lasted
for 36 years, claiming at least 100,000 lives. Today the country
is democratically governed. Its beauty is known throughout the
world and it is called the "Land of Eternal Springtime.
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