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(Alex Milan Tracy/AP)
(Alex Milan Tracy/AP)
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Overview of Guatemala
![](/static-atlas/assets/img/news/best-countries/globes/Guatemala.png)
- Capital
- Guatemala City
- Region
- Central America
- GDP Per Capita, PPP
- $9,019
- GDP
- $77.0 billion
- Population
- 16,604,026
- Area
- 108,889 SQ.KM
Overview of Guatemala
Home to much of Maya civilization, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, touching Mexico’s southern border and possessing coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Guatemalans have traveled a painful road to present-day democracy. The country won independence from Spain in the early 19th century, but civil discord and authoritarian rule has marked much of the country’s history. A United Nations-commissioned panel that examined Guatemala’s 1960-1996 civil war charted extensive human-rights violations, most carried out by right-wing governments backed by the United States. The panel found more than 200,000 people had been killed during that period – the overwhelming majority being Mayan.
Guatemala has the largest economy in Central America, according to the World Bank, and it has grown steadily in the 21st century. Services, manufacturing and agriculture are top sectors. Remittances from Guatemalans living abroad are a major source of foreign income for the country.
Despite the size and growth of its economy, inequality persists. Poverty is widespread, with the country’s indigenous population being disproportionately affected, and the gap between rich and poor is among the highest in Latin America. Guatemala suffers from high malnutrition and infant mortality rates. Guatemala’s crime rate is among the highest in all of Latin America, and violence is negatively affecting the country’s economy, according to the World Bank. Tensions grew in 2017 between the government and a U.N. anti-corruption panel charged with rooting out public graft.
Guatemala is an ethnically diverse nation. Major groups include Mayan and mestizo – a mix of indigenous and European peoples. People of mixed African and Caribbean descent, whites and other indigenous groups also are represented. The ethnic diversity can be heard daily on the streets; Spanish is the country’s official language, but many Mayan dialects can be heard across Guatemala.
The influence of Mayan culture is expressed in the country’s clothing, music and festivals. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but Guatemala has a relatively high proportion of Protestants.
Guatemala is a member of major international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the Latin American Economic System.
Guatemala is an ethnically diverse nation. Major groups include Mayan and mestizo – a mix of indigenous and European peoples. People of mixed African and Caribbean descent, whites and other indigenous groups also are represented. The ethnic diversity can be heard daily on the streets; Spanish is the country’s official language, but many Mayan dialects can be heard across Guatemala.
The influence of Mayan culture is expressed in the country’s clothing, music and festivals. Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion, but Guatemala has a relatively high proportion of Protestants.
Guatemala is a member of major international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the Latin American Economic System.
Guatemala Rankings
#69
Adventure | 14.9 | #59 |
---|---|---|
Agility | 2.1 | #72 |
Cultural Influence | 1.7 | #70 |
Entrepreneurship | 0.0 | #77 |
Heritage | 5.8 | #67 |
Movers | 13.1 | #55 |
Open for Business | 50.4 | #40 |
Power | 3.4 | #63 |
Quality of Life | 7.2 | #64 |
Social Purpose | 3.8 | #61 |
#69
Adventure | 14.9 | #59 |
---|---|---|
Agility | 2.1 | #72 |
Cultural Influence | 1.7 | #70 |
Entrepreneurship | 0.0 | #77 |
Heritage | 5.8 | #67 |
Movers | 13.1 | #55 |
Open for Business | 50.4 | #40 |
Power | 3.4 | #63 |
Quality of Life | 7.2 | #64 |
Social Purpose | 3.8 | #61 |
Attributes
- 12.5Friendly
- 11.9Fun
- 10.9Good for tourism
- 23.8Pleasant climate
- 25.4Scenic
- 3.5Sexy
Attributes
- 10.8Adaptable
- 2.3Dynamic
- 0.0Modern
- 1.8Progressive
- 3.4Responsive
Attributes
- 6.1Culturally significant in terms of entertainment
- 2.3Fashionable
- 12.0Happy
- 5.4Has an influential culture
- 2.8Has strong consumer brands
- 0.0Modern
- 2.3Prestigious
- 0.7Trendy
Attributes
- 4.3Connected to the rest of the world
- 0.0Educated population
- 2.0Entrepreneurial
- 1.2Innovative
- 3.9Provides easy access to capital
- 0.5Skilled labor force
- 2.2Technological expertise
- 5.3Transparent business practices
- 0.7Well-developed digital infrastructure
- 0.2Well-developed infrastructure
- 1.3Well-developed legal framework
Attributes
- 13.6Culturally accessible
- 4.6Has a rich history
- 5.8Has great food
- 7.6Many cultural attractions
- 16.1Many geographic attractions
Attributes
- 47.5Different
- 10.7Distinctive
- 2.3Dynamic
- 7.4Unique
Attributes
- 71.9Cheap manufacturing costs
- 13.9Favorable tax environment
- 84.4Not Bureaucratic
- 11.9Not Corrupt
- 2.6Transparent government practices
Attributes
- 3.3A leader
- 3.1Economically influential
- 6.2Has strong exports
- 2.8Politically influential
- 0.5Strong international alliances
- 5.9Strong military
Attributes
- 1.7A good job market
- 50.1Affordable
- 0.0Economically stable
- 6.9Family-friendly
- 3.6Income equality
- 2.3Politically stable
- 0.6Safe
- 0.6Well-developed public education system
- 1.2Well-developed public health system
Attributes
- 6.3Cares about animal rights
- 3.4Cares about human rights
- 3.8Cares about the environment
- 2.6Committed to climate goals
- 6.1Committed to social justice
- 6.6Gender equality
- 8.2Racial equity
- 18.0Religious freedom
- 1.8Respects property rights
- 2.7Trustworthy
- 2.6Well-distributed political power
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