2001 Edition

Administrative divisions

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.11% (male 2,789,189; female 2,674,747) 15-64 years: 54.25% (male 3,518,209; female 3,519,851) 65 years and over: 3.64% (male 220,640; female 251,725) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens

Airports

477 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 466 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 124 under 914 m: 332 (2000 est.) Guatemala Military

Area

total: 108,890 sq km land: 108,430 sq km water: 460 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Tennessee

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. Guatemala Geography

Birth rate

34.61 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

revenues: $2.2 billion expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Capital

Guatemala

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Coastline

400 km

Constitution

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala

Currency

quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed

Currency code

GTQ; USD

Death rate

6.79 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

$4.7 billion (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Prudence BUSHNELL embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] 331-1541/55

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Ariel RIVERA Irias chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952

Disputes - international

Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala

Economic aid - recipient

$212 million (1995)

Economy - overview

The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000) worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, 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. Ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, and increasing the efficiency and openness of both government and private financial operations. Despite low international prices for Guatemala's main commodities, the economy grew by 3% in 2000 and is forecast to grow by 4% in 2001. Guatemala, along with Honduras and El Salvador, recently concluded a free trade agreement with Mexico and has moved to protect international property rights. However, the PORTILLO administration has undertaken a review of privatizations under the previous administration, thereby creating some uncertainty among investors.

Electricity - consumption

3.295 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

435 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

210 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

3.785 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 38.31% hydro: 61.69% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damage

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

Ethnic groups

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%

Exchange rates

quetzales per US dollar - 7.8020 (January 2001), 7.7632 (2000), 7.3856 (1999), 6.3947 (1998), 6.0653 (1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32%

Exports

$2.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities

coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricity

Exports - partners

US 51.4%, El Salvador 8.7%, Honduras 5%, Costa Rica 3.4%, Germany 2.7% (1998)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

[502] 334-8477

Fiscal year

calendar year Guatemala Communications

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 Guatemala Economy

GDP

purchasing power parity - $46.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 23% industry: 20% services: 57% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,700 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Geography - note

no natural harbors on west coast Guatemala People

Government type

constitutional democratic republic

Highways

total: 13,856 km paved: 4,370 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,486 km (1998)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.38% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,600 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

73,000 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 0.6% highest 10%: 46.6% (1989)

Illicit drugs

transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is probably increasing

Imports

$4.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities

fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity

Imports - partners

US 42.8%, Mexico 9.9%, Japan 4.8%, El Salvador 4.3%, Venezuela 3.8% (1998)

Independence

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Industrial production growth rate

4.1% (1999)

Industries

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Infant mortality rate

45.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2000 est.)

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

Internet country code

.gt

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2000)

Internet users

65,000 (2000) Guatemala Transportation

Irrigated land

1,250 sq km (1993 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados)

Labor force

4.2 million (1999 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

Land use

arable land: 12% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 54% other: 5% (1993 est.)

Languages

Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (more than 20 Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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) elections: last held on 7 November 1999 (next to be held in November 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FRG 63, PAN 37, ANN 9, DCG 2, UD/LOV 1, PLP 1 note: for the 7 November 1999 election, the number of congressional seats was increased from 80 to 113

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 66.51 years male: 63.85 years female: 69.31 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.6% male: 68.7% female: 58.5% (2000 est.) Guatemala Government

Location

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Merchant marine

none (2000 est.)

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$120 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.6% (FY99) Guatemala Transnational Issues

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 3,092,050 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 2,018,636 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 140,358 (2001 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Nationality

noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan

Natural hazards

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms

Natural resources

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Net migration rate

-1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 275 km

Political parties and leaders

Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Jorge Luis ORTEGA]; Democratic Union or UD [Jose Luis CHEA Urruela]; Green Party or LOV [Jose ASTURIAS Rudecke]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Pablo MONSANTO, also known as Jorge SOTO]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; New Nation Alliance or ANN [leader NA], which includes the URNG; National Advancement Party or PAN [Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM

Population

12,974,361 (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

60% (2000 est.)

Population growth rate

2.6% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Radio broadcast stations

AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)

Radios

835,000 (1997)

Railways

total: 884 km (102 km privately owned) narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)

Religions

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote)

Telephone system

general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

665,061 (June 2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular

663,296 (September 2000)

Television broadcast stations

26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

1.323 million (1997)

Terrain

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)

Total fertility rate

4.58 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.5% (1999 est.)

Waterways

990 km note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater season