2003 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: 42.9% (male 3,052,658; female 2,908,428) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 3,779,688; female 3,706,315) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 215,653; female 246,642) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

466 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total

11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m

2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

455 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 115

under 914 m

330 (2002) Military Guatemala

Area

land

108,430 sq km

total

108,890 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. Geography Guatemala

Birth rate

35.05 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $750 million (2002 est.)

revenues

$2.3 billion

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

6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$4.9 billion (2002 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador John Randle HAMILTON

embassy

7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City

mailing address

APO AA 34024

telephone

[502] 331-1541/55

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Antonio Fernando ARENALES Forno

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Disputes - international

Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in Belize border region; OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 creating small adjustment to land boundary, large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popular referendum leaving Guatemalan claim to southern half of Belize intact

Distribution of family income - Gini index

55.8 (1998)

Economic aid - recipient

$250 million (2000 est.)

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. President PORTILLO has continued the liberalization program but with more sporadic results. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but numerous corruption scandals associated with the PORTILLO administration have dampened investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Ongoing challenges include increasing the government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, and narrowing the trade deficit. A free trade agreement between the US and Central American countries promises greater access to US and neighboring markets.

Electricity - consumption

5.559 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

336 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

95 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

6.237 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

51.9%

hydro

35.2%

nuclear

0%

other

12.9% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

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 - 7.82 (2002), 7.86 (2001), 7.76 (2000), 7.39 (1999), 6.39 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

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

election results

Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32%

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)

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

Exports

$2.7 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

US 58.7%, El Salvador 9.3%, Nicaragua 3.1% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 745-1908

[502] 334-8477

telephone

[1] (202) 745-4952

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Guatemala

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 Guatemala

GDP

purchasing power parity - $53.2 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

23%

industry

20%

services

57% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.2% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Geography - note

no natural harbors on west coast People Guatemala

Government type

constitutional democratic republic

Highways

paved

4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways)

total

14,118 km

unpaved

9,247 km (1999)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,200 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

67,000 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

46% (1998)

lowest 10%

1.6%

Illicit drugs

major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$5.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

US 33.2%, Mexico 9.9%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, China 4% (2002)

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

female

37.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

38.72 deaths/1,000 live births

total

37.92 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.1% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.gt

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

5 (2000)

Internet users

200,000 (2002) Transportation Guatemala

Irrigated land

1,250 sq km (1998 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

border countries

Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

total

1,687 km

Land use

arable land

12.54%

other

82.43% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

5.03%

Languages

Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized 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 (140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 42, UNE 33, PAN 16

elections

last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2007)

note

for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased to 140 from 113

Life expectancy at birth

female

66.21 years (2003 est.)

male

64.31 years

total population

65.23 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

63.3% (2003 est.) Government Guatemala

male

78%

total population

70.6%

Location

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

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

Median age

female

18.5 years (2002)

male

18.1 years

total

18.3 years

Merchant marine

none (2002 est.)

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$120 million (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.6% (FY99) Transnational Issues Guatemala

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

3,320,077 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

2,167,270 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

151,294 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Nationality

adjective

Guatemalan

noun

Guatemalan(s)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.543 billion cu m (37257)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

-1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

61,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

21,080 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

263 million bbl (37257)

Pipelines

oil 480 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [leader NA]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Secretary General Alba ESTELA Maldonado]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Secretary General Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Secretary General Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE]; Unionista Party [leader NA]

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

13,909,384 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

75% (2002 est.)

Population growth rate

2.66% (2003 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

narrow gauge

886 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)

total

886 km

Religions

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)

Telephone system

domestic

NA

general assessment

fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala

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

4.67 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.5% (1999 est.)

Waterways

990 km

note

260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater season