Independence Year : 1821
Population : 11385000
Life Expectancy : 66.2
Capital : 922
GNP : 19008.00
GNP Old : 17797.00
Local Name : Guatemala
Government Form : Republic
Location : Central America, bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) and the North Pacific Ocean.
Terrain : fertile coastal plains, mountainous
Climate : Tropical on coasts, temperate in highlands.
Ethnic Group : Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian), indigenous.
Religions : Christian, traditional Mayan
Official Website :
www.congreso.gob.gt
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General Information - Guatemala
Background
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 led to the death of more than 100 000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)
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