North & Central America and Caribbean

Guatemala
Last reviewed: 25 November 2009

Country information

See entire profile

Map of Guatemala

GUATEMALA TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 42,042 sq miles (108,890 sq km)
Population: (2008): 14,000,000 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 29.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 29.8/1000; life expectancy: 69.7; density per sq mile: 304)
Capital and largest City (2003 est): Guatemala City, 2,655,900 (metro. area), 1,128,800 (city proper)
Other large cities: Mixco, 287,600; Villa Nueva, 138,900
Ethnicity/race: Mestizo (Ladino) - mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry - and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (200
Language(s): Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca). Many in the business community speak English.
Religion(s): Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs. There are a small number of Jewish, Muslim and other faith communities.
Currency: Quetzal made up of 100 centavos. Approximately Q13.50 = £1.00
Major political parties: As at July 2007, there were more than 20 registered political parties, the largest of which are:
FRG - Frente Republicano Guatemalteco
PAN – Partido de Avanzada Nacional GANA – Gran Alianza para una Nueva Nación
GANA – Gran Alianza para una Nueva Nacion
PP – Partido Patriota
UNE – Unidad Nacional de Esperanza
EG – Encuentro por Guatemala
URNG – Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca
CASA - Centro de Acción Social
UCN – Unión del Cambio Nacional
UD – Unión Democrática
PU – Partido Unionista
Álvaro Colom of the centre-left, social democratic ‘Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza’ (UNE) won the second round of presidential elections on 4 November 2007 in a run-off against former General Otto Perez Molina of the PP. Colom assumed office on 14 January 2008. New elections will be held in November 2011
Government: Guatemala has a unicameral Congress, comprising 158 seats. Members are elected every 4 years and are eligible for re-election. The President is elected by universal suffrage for a single term of 4 years.
Head of State/President: Álvaro Colom Caballeros
Vice President: Rafael Espada
Prime Minister/Premier: None.
Foreign Minister: Roger Haroldo Rodas Melgar
Membership of international groupings/organisations: Guatemala is a member of the Organisation of American States (OAS), United Nations (UN), Central American Integration System (SICA), San Jose Group, Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).