Background: Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule 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.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino) approximately 56% Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian approximately 44%
Languages: Spanish 60% Amerindian languages 40% (more than 20 Amerindian languages including Quiche Cakchiquel Kekchi Mam Garifuna and Xinca)
Religions: Roman Catholic Protestant indigenous Mayan beliefs
Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (113 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia; additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the president of the Supreme Court judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Democratic Union or UD [Jose CHEA Urruela]; Green Party or LOV [leader NA]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union or URNG [Jorge SOTO]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Hector CIFUENTES]; New Guatemalan Democratic Front or FDNG [Rafael ARRIAGA Martinez]; New Nation Alliance or ANN [leader NA]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [leader NA]
International organization participation: BCIE CACM CCC ECLAC FAO G-24 G-77 IADB IAEA IBRD ICAO ICFTU ICRM IDA IFAD IFC IFRCS IHO ILO IMF IMO Intelsat Interpol IOC IOM ISO (correspondent) ITU LAES LAIA (observer) NAM OAS OPANAL OPCW PCA UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNIDO UNU UPU WCL WFTU WHO WIPO WMO WToO WTrO
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side) white and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
Economy overview: The agricultural sector accounts for one-fourth of GDP two-thirds of exports and half of the labor force. Coffee sugar and bananas are the main products. Manufacturing and construction account for one-fifth of GDP. Since assuming office in January 1996 former President ARZU worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. The signing of the peace accords in December 1996 which ended 36 years of civil war removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1998 Hurricane Mitch caused relatively little damage to Guatemala compared to its neighbors. Remaining challenges include beefing up government revenues negotiating further assistance from international donors and increasing the efficiency and openness of both government and private financial operations. Growth should remain at the same level in 2000 provided world agricultural prices do not plunge.
Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b. 1999) Commodities: coffee sugar bananas fruits and vegetables meat apparel petroleum electricity Partners: US 48% El Salvador 10% Honduras 6% Germany 5% Costa Rica 4% (1997)
Imports: $4.5 billion (c.i.f. 1999) Commodities: fuels machinery and transport equipment construction materials grain fertilizers electricity Partners: US 46% Mexico 13% El Salvador 5% Venezuela 5% Japan 4% (1997)
Illicit drugs: transit country for cocaine shipments; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; active eradication program in 1996 effectively eliminated the cannabis crop; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine shipments)