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Country Guide > Central America > Guatemala | |
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General Information Area 108,889 sq km (42,042 sq miles).
Population 11,237,196 (official census 2002). Population Density 103.2 per sq km Capital Guatemala City. Population: 1,022,000 (official estimate 2001). Geography Guatemala is located in Central America and shares borders to the north and west with Mexico, to the southeast with El Salvador and Honduras, to the northeast with Belize and the Caribbean sea and to the south with the Pacific ocean. The landscape is predominantly mountainous and heavily forested. A string of volcanoes rises above the southern highlands along the Pacific, three of which are still active. Within this volcanic area are basins of varying sizes which hold the majority of the country’s population. The region is drained by rivers flowing into both the Pacific and the Caribbean. One basin west of the capital has no river outlet and thus has formed Lake Atitlán, which is ringed by volcanoes. To the northwest, bordering on Belize and Mexico, lies the low undulating tableland of El Petén, 36,300 sq km (14,000 sq miles) of almost inaccessible wilderness covered with dense hardwood forest. This area covers approximately one-third of the national territory, yet contains only 40,000 people. Government Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821. Head of State and Government: President Oscar Berger Perdomo since 2004. Language The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and major hotels and restaurants. 23 indigenous languages are also spoken. Religion The constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but Catholicism is the most widespread religion with a 10 per cent Protestant minority. Some indigenous communities hold services combining Catholicism with pre-Columbian rites. Time GMT - 6. Electricity 115-125 volts AC, 60Hz. There are some regional variations. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 502. Outgoing international code: 00. Telephone calls to Europe are slightly cheaper between 1900 and 0700. Mobile telephone GSM 860/1900 is available. Handsets can be hired from Ruracel and other companies. Operators include Comcel (website: www.comcel.com.gt), Sercom S.A. (website: www.pcsdigital.com.gt) and Telefonica Centroamerica Guatemala (website: www.telefonica.com.gt). Some hotels also supply them. Coverage is increasing in Guatemala; consult network operator for details. Fax Most hotels have facilities. Internet There are several Internet cafes in Guatemala City and the main tourist areas. ISPs include GuateNet (website: www.guate.net). Telegram Local telegrams can be sent from the central post office. Urgent telegrams are charged at double the ordinary rate. Post Regular airmail to Europe takes 12 days. Press Publications include Diario Centroamérica, El Periódico, La Hora, Prensa Libre and Siglo Veintiuno. English-language publications include Central America Report, Guatemala Weekly, Siglo News and The Review. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
