Guatemala

= **BETTER THAN NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!** Guatemala SOURCES "The land where the rainbow begins" -traditional Mayan people of Guatemala __**BASIC INFO **__ **__HISTORY__** //1502-1544// Spanish first entered what is now the Guatemalan Highlands in 1523, after Christopher Columbus sailed along the eastern shore of what is know known as Central American on his 4th voyage to the New World in 1502. Guatemala was conquered by Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. The 1st Spanish settlement was founded near what is now Guatemala City was also in 1524, along with the Captaincy General of Guatemala being established. In 1541 Antigua was founded as the administrative center of Captaincy General of Guatemala. The next year (1542) Farther Bartolome de Las Casas published "A Brief Report on the Destruction of the Indians". Finally, two years later in 1544 Las Casas is named the Bishop of Chiapas (Guatemala). //1773-1873// In 1773 Antigua was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, followed by an earthquake. Later in 1821 Spain's Central American colonies declared their independence with the Act of September 15, 1821*. Soon after, the Central American Federation, which includes Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Costa Rica is formed. In 1838 the Central American Federation ends, only 17 years after it came into existence. 2 years later in 1840 the first coffee farms are established, followed by the first coffee exports 33 years later in 1873. //1906-1996// In 1906 the United Fruit Company established the first banana plantation in Guatemala. 6 years later in 1912 the first national railroad linked the coffee producing areas with the ports. Later on in 1954 the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency back the coup that overthrew President Arbenz. In 1960 the Civil War begins (NOT the American one). 27 years later in 1987 the Costa Rican President Oscar Arias won the Nobel Prize of Peace because of his Central American Peace Plan. One of Arias's main concerns is ending Guatemala's long civil war. Later on in 1992 Rigoberta Menchu, the Mayan human rights activist, won the Nobel Peace Prize. Finally, in 1996, the Peace Accord is signed, ending **__36__** long years of civil war. *If you look at the center of the Guatemalan flag, it says libertad 15 de septiembre de 1821, which is the day of the Act of September 15, 1821. This is when the Central American colonies declared their independence. **__THE FLAG__** The Guatemalan flag has two blue stripes on either side of a single white stripe. This represents land (Guatemala) being bordered by two seas. The symbol in the middle is the national emblem. __**ENEMIES**__ One of Guatemala's enemies is Spain, because they had to break away from them. I'm not sure if they are "friends" now. **__GEOGRAPHY__** Guatemala is home to many lakes and volcanoes. The lakes include Lake Atitlán, Lake Izabal, Lake Petén Itzá, the river Motagua, the Pacaya Volcano, Tajumulco Volcano, a few other volcanoes, and part of the Sierra Madre. The Tajumulco Volcano is more than just a volcano. It is the tallest peak in Central America, standing at 13,845 feet/4,220 meters high. Guatemala is also home to Tikal, which is the ruined city from the Classic Period of the Mayan people. Tikal is located in/near the Petén region. __**CLIMATE/WEATHER**__ Guatemala's climate is constantly temperate climate. Because of this, Guatemala has occasionally been called "Land of Eternal Spring". On average the annual temperature is anywhere from 77-86 degrees fahrenheit on the coast and 59 degrees fahrenheit up in the higher mountains. Guatemala also had a rainy season, which is from May-October inland and May-December on the coast. A natural hazard is hurricanes. **__MAP__** Links to other maps: http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/openpdf.php?filename=Guatemala_detailmap http://online.culturegrams.com/world/openpdf.php?filename=guatemala_map_geoatlas_political http://online.culturegrams.com/world/openpdf.php?filename=guatemala_map_geoatlas_physical http://online.culturegrams.com/world/openpdf.php?filename=Guatemala_map http://online.culturegrams.com/world/openpdf.php?filename=Guatemala_map_outline __**ECONOMY**__ Guatemala's currency is the Quetzal. Guatemala isn't rich, they are poor because more than half of the country is currently living in poverty. This is most common among the native people of Guatemala, where the poverty rate can reach up to 76%, while the upperclass is more wealthy. Natural resources include crude oil, nickel, and fish. __**CULTURE**__
 * = basic info ||= basic info ||
 * = Capitol ||= Guatemala City ||
 * = currency ||= Quetzal ||
 * = language ||= Spanish, Guatemalan Spanish includes words that are special to Guatemalan Spanish that are called //Guatemaltequismos// ||
 * = population ||= 13,824,463 ||
 * = Guatemala trade: ||=  ||
 * = primary trading partner: ||= USA (import and export) ||
 * other trading partners || El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama ||
 * CACM || Central American Common Market ||
 * imports || mineral fules, electrical machinery, transport equipment, pharmaceutical and other chemical products, textiles and food ||
 * major exports || chemical products and coffee ||
 * other exports || sugar, bananas, crude petroleum, cardamom ||
 * exports of increasing importance || vegetables, fresh fruits, cut flowers, seafoods ||
 * = culture ||=  ||
 * = population ||= 13,824,463 ||
 * official language || Spanish! ||
 * 2nd/3rd language || this is common, most popular being English, French, and German ||
 * HOLIDAYS**
 * DAY || HOLIDAY ||
 * January 1 || New Year's Day ||
 * January 6 || Epiphany ||
 * May 1 || Labor Day ||
 * June 30 || Anniversary of the Revolution of 1871 ||
 * September 15 || Independence Day ||
 * October 12 || Columbus Day ||
 * October 20 || Revolution Day ||
 * 1 November || All Saints' Day ||
 * December 25 || Christmas ||
 * different days || Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday ||



** Guatemala's history is important because they (this is true for everyone) can learn from mistakes and so they can do things differently if there is a next time. ** ** Guatemala's geography includes tourist attractions that include ancient Mayan ruins, amazing volcanoes, and beautiful lakes, which help with tourism. ** ** Since Guatemala isn't the richest nation, they can't really do anything major that would cost billions and billions of dollars and they would need to do all they can to improve their country's poorer sections. ** ** Guatemala's culture is visible in their everyday life. Just go to a local market and you can see the vibrant colors and patterns in the local and traditional clothing. The traditional culture is present in Guatemala. **   ¡Adiós!