Temperature varies with altitude. The average annual temperature on the coast ranges from 25° to 30°C (77° to 86°F); in the central highlands the average is 20°C (68°F), and in the higher mountains 15°C (59°F). In Guatemala City, the average January minimum is 11°C (52°F) and the maximum 23°C (73°F); the average minimum and maximum temperatures in July are, respectively, 16°C (61°F) and 26°C (79°F). The rainy season extends from May to October inland and to December along the coast, and the dry season from November (or January) to April. Because of its consistently temperate climate, Guatemala has been called the "Land of Eternal Spring."
The quetzal (ISO 4217 code: GTQ) is the currency of Guatemala. It is named after the national bird of Guatemala, the Resplendent Quetzal and is divided into 100 cents (centavos in legal Spanish or lenes in Guatemalan traditional Spanish) . The plural can be either quetzales (as it is in Spanish) or quetzals (in a slightly anglicised form). In ancient Mayan culture, the quetzal bird's tail feathers were used as currency. Having currency named after the bird carries a strong historical value indicative of the native people of Guatemala.
Guatemala is mountainous, except for the south coastal area and the vast northern lowlands of Petén department. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. All major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, Petén is sparsely populated. These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks. Volcán Tajumulco, at 4,220 meters, is the highest point in the Central American states.
The rivers are short and shallow in the Pacific drainage basin, larger and deeper in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico drainage basins, which include the Polochic and Dulce Rivers, which drain into Lake Izabal, the Motagua River, the Sarstún that forms the boundary with Belize, and the Usumacinta River, which forms the boundary between Petén and Chiapas, Mexico.
Guatemala has long claimed all or part of the territory of neighbouring Belize, formerly part of the Spanish colony, and currently an independent Commonwealth Realm which recognises Queen Elizabeth II as its Head of State. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1990, but their territorial dispute is not resolved. Negotiations are currently underway under the auspices of the Organization of American States and the Commonwealth of Nations to conclude it.
The history of Guatemala can be traced back to the arrival of the first human settlers, presumed to have migrated from the north at least 12,000 years ago {5}. For much of that time, the civilization that developed there flourished, with little to no contact with cultures from outside of Mesoamerica. The Maya civilization dominated the region for nearly 2000 years before the Spanish arrived in the early 16th century, although most of the Great Classic Maya cities of the Petén region of Guatemala's northern lowlands were abandoned by the year 1000 AD. The states of the central highlands, however, were still flourishing until the arrival of the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, who subjugated the native states, beginning in 1523.
Guatemala remained a Spanish colony for nearly 300 years, before gaining its independence in 1821. It was then a part of the Mexican Empire until becoming fully independent in the 1840s. Since then, Guatemala's history has been divided into periods of democratic rule and periods of civil war and military juntas. Most recently, Guatemala emerged from a 36-year civil war, reestablishing a representative government in 1996.
January 1: New Year's Day
March/April: Easter
May 1: Labor Day
June 30: Army Day
September 15: Independence Day
October 20: Revolution Day
November 1: All Saints Day
December 25: Christmas Day
The population of Guatemala in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 12,347,000, which placed it as number 68 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 4% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 44% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 102 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 2.55%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 16,197,000. The population density in 2002 was 111 per sq km (287 per sq mi). Most of the people live in the southern third of the country.
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 40% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital and largest city, Guatemala City, had a population of 3,119,000 in that year. Other large cities are Escuintla, 63,471, and Quezaltenango, 93,439. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 3.4%.
Capital: City GUATEMALA
Population: 13018759 (projections National Institute of Statistics to June 30 2006)
Area: 108,889 Km2
Time zone:-7h respect to Italy,-8h when Italy have daylight saving time.
Languages: The official language is Spanish. There are also about 20 Mayan languages and dialects.
Religions: Catholicism. There are seven evangelical that today claim to collect about 30% of the population.
Currency: Quetzal
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