Guatemala <div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em"> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid #9866FF; background-color: #f3f3ff" width="200"> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Flag</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 2px">Image:gt-flag.png</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; border-top: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Quick Facts</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Capital'''</td><td>Guatemala City|Guatemala</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Government'''</td><td>constitutional democratic republic<br/></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Currency'''</td><td>quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Area'''</td><td>''total:'' 108,890 sq km <br>''water:'' 460 sq km <br>''land:'' 108,430 sq km</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Population'''</td><td>13,314,079 (July 2002 est.)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Language'''</td><td>Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Religion'''</td><td>Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs and Atheist.</td></tr> </table> </div>  '''Guatemala''' is a country in the Central America region of North America. It has borders to Mexico in the north/north-west, to Belize in the north-east, to Honduras in the south-east, to El Salvador in the south. It also has a Pacific coastline to the south-west, and a tiny piece of Caribbean coastline to the east. ==Regions== Image:gt-map.png|frame|Map of Guatemala * Guatemala Central Highlands|Central Highlands: Around Guatemala City * Guatemala Western Highlands|Western Highlands: Many modern Maya towns * Guatemala Caribbean Coast|Caribbean Coast: Hot and steamy * Peten|Petén: Hot jungle in the north, with most impressive ancient Maya ruins * Guatemala Pacific Highlands|Pacific Highlands: Hot, going down to the Pacific beaches ==Cities== *La Antigua Guatemala: Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a World Heritage site, and the most popular amongst tourists *Cobán: In Alta Verapaz *Escuintla *Flores (Guatemala)|Flores: Island city capital of Petén *Guatemala City: Capital and largest city with many amenities *Huehuetenango *Puerto Barrios: Caribbean seaport *Puerto San José: Pacific seaport *Quetzaltenango: Second largest city, in the western highlands ==Other destinations== *Chichicastenango: Highland Maya town famous for its traditional market *Lake Atitlán: Beautiful lake in the mountains surrounded by picturesque but more an more touristic villages and volcanos *Lake Izabal *Livingston: Caribbean coast town with Garifuna culture *Monterrico: The beach closest to Guatemala City and Antigua *Panajachel *Rio Dulce ===Maya ruins=== *Aguateca *Ceibal *Dos Pilas *El Mirador *El Peru *El Zotz *Gumarcaj: Also known as Utatlán, near Santa Cruz del Quiche *Iximche *Mixco Viejo *Naranjo *Piedras Negras *Quiriguá: Impressive Classic Maya sculptures *Tikal: The Largest of Maya ruins, this ancient Maya site is probably worth the trip to Guatemala by itself. *Uaxactun *Yaxhá *Zaculeu: Near Huehuetenango ===Volcanoes=== *Volcán Tacaná (4093m) *Volcán Tajumulco (4220m) *Volcán Santa María (3772m) *Volcán Atitlán (3537m) *Volcán Acatenango (3976m) *Volcán de Ipala (1650m) ==Understand== Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from the long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land has created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites. ==When to go== It is difficult to travel in the more remote areas during the rainy season between mid-May to mid-October and into mid-November in the north. The elaborate ceremonies in Antigua the week leading up to Easter are a highlight. ==Get in== ===By plane=== Guatemala's main airport, La Aurora International Airport, is near Guatemala City. International flights arrive mostly from other Central American countries and North America.<br> Guatemala's second airport is situated in Flores, Petén. This small airport receives flights from a small number of close destinations including Belize, Mexico City and Guatemala City. ===By car=== From Mexico, or Honduras, El Salvador, via Pan-American Highway, also possible with more difficulty from Belize. ===By bus=== From Belize City to Flores (5 hours) and Guatemala City (14 hours).<br> El Salvador: San Salvador, Santa Ana<br> Honduras: Copan, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, Tegucigalpa<br> Nicaragua: Managua<br> Costa Rica: San José<br> Panama: Panama City<br> Mexico: Tapachula, Palenque, Chetumal, Tulum, Cancun, Mexico City ===By boat=== Puerto Barrios, from Punta Gorda, Belize ==Get around== By car or bus, airplane to the Peten. Many regular intercity buses. Guatemala City: Try the local trolley, Chiltepe Tours (www.chiltepe.com), departing at 10:00 and 13:00 hours from hotels in zone 10, visiting the historic downtown of Guatemala City, with one stop at the National Palace, and one at Museo Popol Vuh. Duration, approximately 3 hours. ==Talk== Spanish. Maya languages are still spoken, especially in towns in the western highlands, but most of the Maya people have least a working knowledge of basic Spanish as well. By the Garifuna people in Livingston, Garifuna and English are the main languages (but Spanish is spoken as well). ==Buy== The national currency is Quetzal(es). The rate of change is approximately 8 Quetzales for 1 US Dollar (November 2004). It is not common to use dollars in everyday life. You will most likely have difficulties in changing other currencies than US Dollars. It is common to bargain for the typical tourist purchases. If a store has fixed prices for these type of products, you will see a sign saying so (precios fijos). ===Things to buy in Guatemala=== * Ron Zacapa Centenario, Guatemalas prize-winning rum * Fabrics and Traditional textiles ==Eat== Typical food: Kaq Ik, Pepián, tortillas, frijoles (beans), ==Drink== Guatemalans usually dress down when they go out. ==Sleep== ==Learn== Guatemala is a great place to learn Spanish. The prices are low, and the Guatemalan Spanish is considered nice. Antigua has the highest number of Spanish schools and is also the most popular place for tourists. But if studying Spanish is your main concern, you might be better of elsewhere, because you can actually go around in Antigua for a whole day without hearing anything but English. And the quality of the teachers and the schools might not be up to the standard you would want and expect. Because of this, many language students head towards Saint Pedro|St. Pedro, seated by Lake Atitlan, where a wide range of language schools also offer Spanish language courses (some quite inexpensive). But as in Antigua the quality of the lessons might not be up to what expect, so ask around. ==Work== ==Stay safe== Dangerous traffic.<br> High crime rate (in Guatemala City).<br> Human rights conditions are bad, but this is mostly of concern for locals. ==Stay healthy== Be aware of potentially Malaria and Dengue fever in the tropical lowland.<br> Be careful with the hygiene.<br> Only drink purified water (agua pura). ==Respect== Address people you don't know in a formal manner (Señor, Señora, Usted). ==Contact== Guatemalas international calling code is 502.<br> The post system is traditionally not reliable, but your post cards usually get through. A stamp for Europe is Q5 ==External links== *[http://www.revistarecrearte.com Revista Recrearte - Cultural Guide from Revue for Guatemala in Spanish] *[http://www.revuemag.com Revue - Guatemalas English-language magazine] *[http://www.chiltepe.com Chiltepe Tours - Trolley Tours of Guatemala] de:Guatemala fr:Guatemala WikiPedia:Guatemala First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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