Guatemala

Guatemala

Guatemala is in Central America, between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Located just south of Mexico, Guatemala enjoys an agreeable climate. This, combined with its Mayan ruins and diverse landscape, makes Guatemala a popular destination for tourists. In fact, tourism is the most profitable of all the components in the country’s service industry.

Quick Facts

Population: 16.581 million
Ethnic Groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish) (56.0%), Maya (41.7%), Xinca (1.8%), African descent (0.2%), Garifuna (0.1%), Foreign (0.2%)
Languages: Spanish (Official) (69.9%), Maya languages (29.7%), Other (0.4%)
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Indigenous Mayan beliefs
Capital: Guatemala City
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 29, 2019

Guatemalans in Canada

Guatemalan Population in Canada

26,270

Useful Links

The government of Guatemala signed a peace treaty in 1996, which ended 36 years of guerrilla warfare. Although the peace agreement allowed the country to begin moving forward, it has been difficult for Guatemala to escape its troubled past. Poverty is still a serious issue that must be tackled. Guatemala has had separation of church and state for more than 100 years. The majority of Guatemalans are Catholics, but there is also a sizable Protestant minority. Many Amerindians have preserved indigenous Mayan beliefs, which involve gods that govern over various aspects of daily life.

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