| Guatemala |
Background: | |
The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 200,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. In January 2012, Guatemala assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2012-13 term. | |
Nationality: | |
noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan | |
Ethnic Groups: | |
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 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% (2001 census) | |
Languages: | |
Spanish (official) 60%, Amerindian languages 40% note: there are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca | |
Religions: | |
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs | |
Population: | |
14,373,472 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 | |
Major Cities - Population: | |
GUATEMALA CITY (capital) 1.075 million (2009) | |
| Statistics | |
| Percent Urbanization | 49 % |
| Total People Groups | 59 |
| Unreached People Groups | 1 |
| Region | Central and South America |
| 10/40 Window | No |
| Official National Language | Spanish |
| Primary Religion | Christianity |
| Percent Christian Adherent | 96.1% [1] |
| Percent Evangelical | 22.1% [2] |
| Country Progress Level | 3.2  |
| Persecution Ranking | Not ranked (1=High to 50=Low OD) |
| Human Development Index | 0.560 (0=Low to 1=High UN) |
