Guatemala

is a country in Central America with a unique and indigenous culture that is the product of Mayan heredity and Spanish influence during the colonial period. At the same time it is a country with much natural beauty.

Its physical geography is largely mountainous, but it also has beaches and low plains. It is crossed in the center by the Cuchumatanes mountain range and in the south by the Sierra Madre. Its topography creates a variety of landscapes and climates with give rise to a wealth of flora and fauna. This biodiversity is a major tourist attraction in itself.

Guatemala is a multicultural country that counts 23 ethnic Mayan groups, each one with its own culture and language. The official language is Spanish, although only 60% of the population can understand it. The mother tongue of more than the half of the population is one of 23 officially recognized languages, among which are Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca.

Approximately 13 million persons live in Guatemala and more than 50% are pure descendents of Mayan natives. Most of them live in poverty and suffer malnutrición. Also, they are discriminated against and deprived of education. The official illiteracy rate for adults is 37% for the men and 53% for the women, the second highest in the western hemisphere. The predominant religion is Roman Catholic, into which many natives have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and the Mayan traditional religions are practised by approximately 30% of the population.

The country has for many years suffered civil wars, corruption and natural disasters. Between 50,000 and 60,000 persons were murdered during the political violence of the 70s and 80s. In 1976, a strong earthquake killed approximately 22.000 persons and left almost a million homeless.

The Peace Accords were signed on December 29, 1996, marking an end to a civil war that lasted 36 years. In November, 1999, the country celebrated its first peace-time elections in forty years and a new president has been elected every four years since. Nevertheless, Guatemala keeps on suffering from discrimination, violence, poverty and corruption.