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Guatemala, also known as the Republic of Guatemala, is a mountainous country located in Central America. Bordered by Mexico to the northwest, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, the country is known for its rich, fertile earth, which leads to a diversity of wildlife. Guatemala is a travel destination for those seeking to explore unique biodiversity hotspots and to view Mayan ruins. A tumultuous past has included many civil and political upheavals; however, the country has been stable since it signed a global peace accord in 1996. Although it is the most populous country in Central America, Guatemala struggles with poverty and has a GDP per capita of approximately one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile.
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Fast Facts
- Capital: Guatemala City
- President: Alvaro Colom
- Government: Constitutional Republic
- Population: 13 million
- Currency: Quetzal
- Official Language: Spanish
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History
Guatemala’s first settlers were the Mayans, who built cities whose ruins still exist today. The Mayans prospered in Guatemala for almost 2,000 years before the Spanish, led by Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, colonized the country in the early 16th century. The country did not gain independence until 1821 when it became part of the Mexican Empire. Guatemala gained complete independence in the 1840s. In-fighting led to decades of division in the country, culminating in a 36-year civil war that concluded in 1996 with the signing of a peace accord. -
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The Mahalo Top 7
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Lonely Planet: Guatemala Overview
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BBC News: Guatemala Facts and Information
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U.S. Department of State: Guatemala
state.gov -
CIA-The World Factbook: Guatemala
cia.gov -
Wikipedia: Guatemala
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Guatemala.com: Guatemala
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Enjoy Guatemala: Guatemala travel information
enjoyguatemala.com
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Lonely Planet: Guatemala Overview
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Guatemala on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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@dynation HEY DaddY.! si vas a venir a Guatemala.? los guatemaltecOs queremOs al Jefe
@dance4lifejp | November 08, 2009 08:21 AM -
@IvonneMunozMx Hay estas conectada, el sábado yo voy a tomar camino de regreso a Guatemala, pero hasta la tarde...
@Peibol | November 08, 2009 08:19 AM -
RT @ubiktguatemala: Rosana en Entrevista al canal 1850 de Guatemala... http://pic.gd/7876b1
@jvma0000 | November 08, 2009 08:18 AM -
RT @ubiktguatemala: En pleno concierto...Rosana desde "La ermita de la Santa Cruz" en La Antigua - Guatemala. h.. http://bit.ly/1ymeNt
@NoticiasDeGuate | November 08, 2009 08:16 AM -
RT @ubiktguatemala: Rosana en concierto ahorita desde la Ermita en Antigua Guatemala... Presenta Show Bussines. http://pic.gd/9fbdfb
@jvma0000 | November 08, 2009 08:15 AM
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Guatemala on Amazon | View All
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Guatemala (Country Guide) - $19.99
Discover Guatemala Get up early to explore the kaleidoscope of colors and incense-clouded chaos of the Chichicastenango market, p. 150 Worship the sun - just like the ancients did - atop Tikal's towering Mayan...
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The Rough Guide to Guatemala 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) - $21.99
The Rough Guide to Guatemala is the essential companion to this astonishing country with detailed coverage of all the main attractions – from the volcanoes and crater lakes to the culturally-rich capital of Guatemala City. The full-colour i...
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Guatemala Flag Polyester 3 ft. x 5 ft. - $19.99
3 x 5 ft Polyester flag with 2 brass grommets. These polyester flags are not recommended for prolonged outdoor use. For outdoor use, we recommend our nylon flags. Don't be ripped off by cheap, low quality poorly printed flags sold for low p...
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Precarious Peace: God and Guatemala - $19.99
Religion can motivate people to violence. But religion also represents a powerful force for reconciliation. However, effective peacemaking demands risky engagement with the issues and genuine dialogue with those who differ. Guatemala, as...
Amazon
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Questions and Answers About Guatemala | View All | Ask a Question
View All Guatemala Questions (23) | Ask a QuestionWhat is the history of Guatemala's independence? (2 Answers)Guatemala was ruled by sprain during the time of expendaiton , become part of New Mexican, first rebel took place on September 15, 1821 although it failed ,but it take ... read moreWhy did land reform fail in Guatemala? (1 Answer)http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t285/T285199A.jpg Guatemala president Jacobo Arbenz 1950 - 1954 President Jacobo Arbenz won the election in 1950 advocating the basic platform of an agrarian reform. Despite Guatemala being the richest country ... read moreWhat does the word Guatemala mean? (2 Answers)The actual origins of the word Guatemala are unclear but many believe the word means "land of trees" in the language of the Maya-Toltec. Others think the Nahuatl expression Quauhtitlan, ... read more
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Guatemala Maps and Geography
- Google Image Search: Maps of Guatemala
- Lonely Planet: Map of Guatemala
- World Atlas: Guatemala Map and Location

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Guatemala Capital
- Mahalo's page on Guatemala City



