Guatemala: Introduction

Total Population: 14,388,929

Natural Increase: 2.5%

Density: 134 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 49.5%

Population of main cities including suburbs: Guatemala City (2,725,000); Mixco (473,000); Villa Nueva (406,800); Quezaltenango (132,000); Escuintla (120,000).

Ethnic Origins: Mixed and European: 59.4%, K'iche: 9.1%, Kaqchikel: 8.4%, Mam: 7.9%, Q'eqchi: 6.3%, other Mayan tribes: 8.6%, the indians who do not belong to Mayan groups: 0.2% and others 0.1%

Official Language: Spanish

Other Languages Spoken: There are 22 dialects in Guatemala amongst them is the Quiche, the Kakchiquel, the Quekchi, the Mam, the Garifuna as well as the Xinka.

Business Language(s): Spanish and English.

Religion: Catholics 74.8%, Protestants 24.5%, Others 0.7%.
Catholicism remains the main religion. However, since the 80s, Protestant sects have made their appearance. 75% of them are Pentecostists. They enjoy great popularity and in some villages, they have managed to split the indian community. The Maya religion, based on nature, is resisting as much as possible to this invasion. Thus, the Maximón is still venerated in Santiago Atitlán and San Simón in Zunil.

Literacy Rate: 69.1%

Area: 108,890 km²

Type of State: Republic based on a constitutional democracy.

Type of Economy: Middle-income (lower bracket) economy country. Developing country..
Economy based on agriculture; manufactured goods and construction.

HDI*: 0.560/1

HDI (World Rank): 116/169

Telephone Code:
To Make a Call From Guatemala, Dial 00
To Make a Call to Guatemala, Dial +502

Internet Suffix: .gt

Telephone Lines: 10.6 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 10.1 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 79% of the Population