GUATEMALA

Official Facts of the Country's name

• Official Name: Republic of Guatemala.
• Short form: Guatemala.
• Origin of the Name of Guatemala: The name Guatemala means land of the trees in the Maya-Toltec language.

Currency facts

• Currency: El Quetzal
• Exchange rate: Avg. US$ 1.00 = Q 7.50
• Tip: Banks usually change Foreign currency. Some shops accept US$ at a very low Exchange rate. ATMS are found all around the capital city of Guatemala and usually you can withdraw Quetzales with credit cards like VISA or AMEX. Better to bring cash and Exchange it at the bank. Traveler’s checks are not recommendable.

Contact facts

• Diplomatic representation from the US: Chief of Mission: Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland
• Embassy's address: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
• Mailing Address: APO AA 34024
• Telephones/Fax: [502] 2331-1541/55 / [502] 2334-8477

Timezone & People facts

• Time Zone: GMT -6 hours; -5 in summer. Usually is one hour behind Miami, (CENTRAL TIME)
• Population: 14,280,596 (July 2004 est.)
• Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.6% (male 3,118,396; female 2,970,729) 15-64 years: 54% (male 3,898,939; female 3,817,435) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 221,154; female 253,943) (2004 est.)
• Population growth rate: 2.61% (2004 est.)
• Birth Rate: 34.58 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
• Urban to Rural Population: 38.7% urban; 61.3% rural (1995).
• Density (population/sq. mile): 301 Source: ibid
• Population 2025 (projected): 19,816,000 Source: ibid
• Ethnicity: Ladinos (mixed Hispanic and aboriginal origin); aboriginal (Maya); Carib (African origin).

Guatemala is divided up into 22 departments.

Other Facts

• Main cities Escuintla, Xela, Mazatenango, Retahuleu, Puerto Barrios, Atitlan, Antigua.
• Officially Recognized Languages: Spanish, Achi', Akateko, Awakateko, Chalchiteko, Ch'orti', Chuj, Itzá, Ixil, Popti', Kaqchikel, K'iche', Mam, Mopan, Poqoman, Poqomchi, Q'anjob'al, Q'eqchi', Sakapulteko, Sipakapense, Tekiteko, Tz'utujil, Uspanteko, Garifuna and Xinka.
• Public Holidays for 2007: January 1 (New Years Day), January 6 (Epiphany), 21-24 April (Easter), May 1 (Labor Day), June 30 (Anniversary of the Revolution), August 15 (Assumption, Guatemala City only), September 15 (Independence Day), October 12 (Columbus Day), October 20 (Revolution Day), November 1 (All Saints Day), December 24-25 (Christmas), December 31 (New Years Eve).
• Weights and Measures: Metric System
• Electricity: 110 and 220 V. with US type of power outlets
• Highest Point: Tajamulco Volcano, 4,220 meters/ 13,845 ft. above sea level.
• Borders: Bordered on the east by Belize and the Gulf of Honduras, on the west and north by Mexico, on the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean.