Basic Facts about Guatemala

• Spanish is the official language of Guatemala. For 60% of the population, it’s their first language. 40% of the population also communicate using Amerindian languages (21 Mayan dialects to be exact), including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca.
• Approximately 15,531,208 people live in Guatemala
• The official currency used in Guatemala is the Quetzal
• Guatemala is a relatively small country, covering a total surface of 108,890 kilometres squared. This is divided between 108,430 kilometres squared of land and 460 kilometres squared of water.
• Guatemala’s main industries are sugar, textiles and clothing, petroleum, rubber and tourism.
• Its capital city is Guatemala City and has a metropolitan population of 2.5 million people.
• It has coastlines along the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, but it also shares land borders with El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras and Belize.
• Guatemala’s first inhabitants are thought to have been around since 18,000 B.C.
• It was the centre of the Mayan civilization.
• Even though it is a relatively small country, it is home to 33 volcanoes.
• Guatemala’s civil war lasted for 36 years, from 1960 to 1996.
• Half of Guatemala’s population are direct descendants of the Maya.