Guatemala Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in Guatemala

Location
Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly smaller than Tennessee

Geographic Coordinates
15 30 N, 90 15 W

Capital
Guatemala

Nationality
Guatemalan(s)

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

Languages Spoken
Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Population
13,314,079 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.01 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-1.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 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%

Religion Demographics
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Geographic Areas
Total :: 108,890 sq km
Land :: 108,430 sq km
Water :: 460 sq km
Coastline :: 400 km

Bordered By
Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico

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

Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)

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

Brief Geography Notes
no natural harbors on west coast

Government
constitutional democratic republic

Administrative Districts
22 departments