
Guatemala Guide
Guatemala – country information
Country name | Guatemala |
Official name | Republic of Guatemala |
Capital | Guatemala |
continent | North America |
Area | 108,889 km |
Population | 15 806 675 (2014) |
Foundation of a state | 15. 9. 1821 |
The highest mountains | Tajumulco 4210 m |
Longest rivers | Usumacinta 1000 km (in the country 700 km) |
State system | a pluralistic presidential republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Guatemala (capital) 1,175,000 (agglomeration 2 mil.), Escuintla 125,000, Quezaltenango 120,000 |
Official language | Spanish |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Indians 45%, Ladins (mestizo) 45%, whites 5%, blacks 2%, other mixed race and Chinese 3% |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 76%, Protestants 24% |
Currency | 1 quetzal (Q) = 100 cents |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$5,153 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | men 61 years, women 66 years years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 25%, mining and industry 18%, construction 2%, services 55% |
Guatemala – Neighboring States
State | Capital | Area | Populace |
Belize | Belmopan | 22,966 km | 349 728 |
Honduras | Tegucigalpa | 112,088 km | 8 555 072 |
Mexico | Mexico City | 1,958,200 km | 119 713 203 |
Salvador | San Salvador | 21,041 km | 6 340 000 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Guatemala is located in Central America and occupies the territory between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. It shares a long border with Mexico and borders Belize, Honduras and El Salvador to the east and southeast.
Guatemala is a country in Central America. Shared borders with Belize, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico. The capital is Guatemala.
The country is washed by two oceans – Pacific and Atlantic. Popular resorts – Monterrico, San Jose, Retaluleu and beaches – Punta de Palma, Livingston.
The climate is tropical. Temperature +26*С.
Resorts and attractions of Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America. It is safe to call it a major tourist center with history and traditions. This is the pearl of Central America – the birthplace of the Mayan civilization, a state with a unique ancient culture.
This country impresses with its architectural monuments. Beautiful beaches, a large number of equipped resort areas, comfortable hotels and inns – that’s what a holiday in Guatemala is all about.
Guatemala is surrounded on all sides by mountains and volcanoes. It is thanks to this geographical position that mountaineering is developed in the country.
Country data
Location: Central America
Time zone: CET – 7 (during summer time: CET – 8)
Total area: 108,889 km²
Land area: 107,159 km²
Water area: 1,730 km²
Length of the state border: 1,667 km
including:
Belize: 266 km
El Salvador: 199 km
Honduras: 244 km
Mexico: 958 km
Coastline: 400 km
Capital: Guatemala City
Regions: 22
Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solezola, Suchequapan Zacapa
Electric current: 110 V / 60 Hz
Telephone code: 00 502 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Tajumulco volcano 4,211 m
Population
Population: approx. 14.6 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.9% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 134
Life expectancy: 70 (male), 74 (female)
Official language: Spanish
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestants
Climate
In the tropical climate it is always humid and warm. Only inland (at higher altitudes) does it get a little cooler.
The dry season lasts from November to May, but the humidity is often over 80%. In the remaining months from June to October it rains almost every day.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Quetzal (GTQ)
Classification: 1 quetzal = 100 centavo
ATMs: Occasionally available in the larger cities.
International credit cards: These are rarely accepted by larger hotels and shops.
Regulations: Foreign currencies can be imported in unlimited amounts and exported in the amount of the declared import. There is no limit to the number of imports and exports of the local currency.
It is recommended to only carry US dollars as foreign currency.
Cash payments are common in rural areas.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 100 cigarettes or 100 g tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
All products of animal origin (meat and sausage products, dairy products, etc.) carried along must be declared upon entry.
Travel advice
An increase in Zika virus infections is currently being observed in the region. The Zika virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes.
The Federal Foreign Office recommends that pregnant women refrain from avoidable trips to ZIKA virus outbreak areas, as the risk of early childhood malformations if the woman is infected cannot currently be ruled out.
Due to the troubled internal political situation, travel in the country should not be undertaken alone.
You should only undertake volcano climbs and excursions in the company of a local guide.
Behavioral advice
Tap water should be boiled before use, as the quality is very poor.
The crime rate in Guatemala is very high. In clashes between rival youth gangs, bystanders are increasingly becoming victims.
Drug trafficking and the associated crime against acquisitions have also increased significantly in recent years.
You shouldn’t resist a robbery. Firearms possession is widespread and quickly used.
Tip:
Always carry 2 purses with you. In the first one (which you carry well hidden) you keep your money for the day. The second should contain a few small bills and coins. So you can give out the second wallet in the event of a robbery and satisfy the perpetrator with it without losing all of your money.
Economy
The civil war, which lasted from 1961 until the 1990s, caused great damage to the economy. For example, tourism and the mining of natural resources have almost completely come to a standstill.
Economic growth picked up again after its end, but is slowed down again and again by the widespread corruption, the poor security situation and the lack of legal certainty.
Most of the foreign currency is earned through the export of coffee.
Industries: chemistry, textiles, tourism, sugar
Natural resources: petroleum, fish, wood, nickel
Land use:
- Usable land: 12%
- Grain cultivation: 5%
- Pasture area: 24%
- Forests: 54%
- other: 5%
Plants
There are many large forests with hundreds of different tree species in Guatemala. The still great diversity in the flora is also found among plants, shrubs and grass species.
With the establishment of national parks, this condition should also be maintained for the future.
Animals
The large forests are home to many mammals, reptiles and bird species. Especially in the winter months, Guatemala is home to many migratory birds.