Profile of Guatemala
Population: 14,655,189
Languages: 60% of population speak Spanish, 40% speak an Amerindian language (there are approximately 23 officially recognised Amerindian languages such as Quiche, Cakchiquel, etc.)
Capital: Guatemala
Unemployment Rate: 70% Unemployment
The Maya civilization thrived in Guatemala during the first millennium A.D. In 1821, the country gained independence from Spain after nearly 300 years.
From around 1950 onwards, it was governed by a series of military and civilian governments as well as experiencing a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, a peace deal was signed, ending the conflict. This war left more than 100,000 people dead and made over 1 million people refugees.
Today, the distribution of income remains disproportionate - about 75% of the population live in abject poverty. The country faces ongoing challenges such as:
- escalating government revenues
- the need for continuing assistance from international donors
- necessity to improve government and private financial operations
- tackling the ongoing drug trafficking
- narrowing the trade deficit
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