The Monson Family

Area: 108,889 sq km (42,042 sq miles).
Population: 11,385,334 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 104.6 per sq km (1996).
Capital: Guatemala City. Population: 1,015,303 (2000).
Geography: Guatemala is located in Central America and shares borders to the N and W with Mexico, to the SE with El Salvador and Honduras, to the NE with Belize and the Caribbean Sea and to the S with the Pacific ocean. The landscape is predominantly mountainous and heavily forested. A string of volcanoes rises above the southern highlands along the Pacific, three of which are still active.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1821.

Head of State and Government:President Berger since 2004.
Language: The official language is Spanish. Twenty-three indigenous languages are also spoken.
Religion: The constitution guarantees freedom of worship, but Catholicism is the most widespread religion with a 35 per cent Protestant minority. Some indigenous communities hold services combining Catholicism with pre-Columbian rites.
Time: GMT - 6. Central time zone/no daylight savings time. (4/29/06 they are trying daylight savings time)
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz.

Currency: Quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of Q100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Q1 and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 centavos. 

Currency exchange: As of 4/06 the approx rate of exchange is Q7.50 to the $.
Credit & debit cards: Visa and American Express are accepted, whilst Diners Club and MasterCard have a more limited acceptance

Travellers cheques: Accepted by most banks and good hotels, although visitors may experience occasional problems.

Climate: Guatemala’s climate varies according to altitude. The coastal regions and the northeast are hot throughout the year with an average temperature of 20°C (68°F) sometimes rising to 37°C (99°F). Generally, nights are clear all year round. In higher climes near the centre of the country the rainy season, running from May to September, is characterised by clear skies after abundant rainfall in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures fall sharply at night.

Petén
The vast tropical lowland jungles of the Petén department share borders with Belize to the east and Mexico to the north and west. It is home to most of the major Mayan sites in Guatemala and many visitors exploring the Mayan sites in all three countries tend to fly direct from either Mexico or Belize into the international airport at Flores. Most of the major Mayan sites are located in this department. This area covers approximately one-third of the national territory, yet contains only 40,000 people.

The Highlands
Known in Spanish as El Altiplano, the highlands region is one of the most popular for visitors to Guatemala. The towns and villages there are inhabited by the greatest number of modern day, indigenous Mayan groups – many of whom still speak the languages and uphold the sacred rituals of their ancestors. Although this practice is gradually dying out, many of the villagers in more remote areas still wear traditional handwoven garments and market days or fiesta celebrations are the best times for visitors to appreciate their vibrant colours. 

Pacific Coast
The Pacific coastline stretches some 250km (155 miles) from the Mexican border in the west to the border with El Salvador to the east and includes parts of six administrative departments. The region is characterized by black volcanic sand beaches on the coast; mangrove swamps irrigated by numerous rivers behind and lush, subtropical forests further inland. Agriculture is the prime industry, with extensive coffee, sugar cane, cardamom, cotton and banana plantations. As well as enjoying watersports and swimming on the coast and exploring the rainforests and swamps with their unique habitats, visitors can tour several important Olmec archaeological sites.