Guatemala ( Republica de Guatemala) is a country in Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Hondura. Guatemala geographic coordinates 15 30 N, 90 15 W; area 108,430 sq km; area comparative slightly smaller than Tennessee; land boundaries Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km; coastline 400 km; maritime claims exclusive economic zone:<; climate tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands; terrain mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten); elevation extremes Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m; natural resources petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower; land use 82.43% (2001); irrigated land 1,250 sq km (1998 est.); natural hazards numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susc; environment current issues deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note no natural harbors on west coast;

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The Maya 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 100,000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees. government type constitutional democratic republic; capital Guatemala; administrative divisions 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa; independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain); national holiday Independence Day, 15 September (1821); constitution 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; legal system civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; suffrage 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed for;

people

Guatemala population 14,655,189 (July 2005 est.); age structure 3.3% (male 226,745/female 261,424) (2005 est.); median age 18.71 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 2.57% (2005 est.); birth rate 34.11 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate -1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 36.74 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 66.04 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 4.53 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate 1.1% (2003 est.); hiv people with aids 78,000 (2003 est.); hiv deaths 5,800 (2003 est.); nationality Guatemalan; ethnic groups Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino) approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%; religions Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs; languages Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca); literacy 63.3% (2003 est.);

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