the modern country guatemala. brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

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The Modern Country Guatemala

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Page 1: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

The Modern Country

Guatemala

Page 2: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gt.html

Page 3: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Guatemala is located in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico. The terrain of Guatemala is mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau.

Capital and largest cityGuatemala City

Page 4: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

TikalLake AtitlanQuiriguaSemuc Champey

Page 5: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Tikal Picture taken by Mr. Sherman

Page 6: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

The Tikal National Park, in Guatemala contains some of the most fascinating archaeological remains of the ancient Maya Civilization. Many mounds have been covered by a thick layer of jungle for over a thousand years and are well-preserved. The ceremonial center of the ruins contains temples and palaces, and public squares accessed by means of ramps. Remains of dwellings are scattered throughout the surrounding countryside.

Tikal

Page 7: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Lake Atitlan Picture taken by Mr. Sherman

Page 8: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Lago de Atitlán, (English: Lake Atitlán), is a beautiful volcanic lake in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. It is ringed by small towns. The word Atitlan is a Mayan word that translates as "the place where the rainbow gets its colors". The main tourist center is Panajachel, an 800 year old pueblo of about 14000, mostly Cakchiquel Mayas and some foreigners from every corner of the globe, living inside that rainbow.

Lake Atitlan

Page 9: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Guatemalan Flag

Page 10: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Quirigua Picture taken by Mr. Sherman

Page 11: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Quirigua is known for its many finely sculptured stone monuments. The site boasts the largest carved Maya stele, a 65-ton behemoth known as Monument 5, dating to A.D. 771. Monument 5 stands 35 feet tall, with fully eight feet underground. Its sculptors worked in the local sandstone, which has a close and even grain that allows for highly intricate carvings. The city’s prominence that lasted until at least 810, the city's last recorded date.

Quirigua

Page 12: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Semuc Champey Picture taken by Mr. Sherman

Page 13: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Semuc Champey

Semuc Champey is a collection of tiered pools atop a natural limestone bridge in the jungles of Guatemala. It’s known for its turquoise lakes and lush greenery.Semuc Champey means "where the river hides beneath the earth" in the Maya Qéqchi´ language. It contains a fragile and unique ecosystem, formed by an extraordinary fusion of geomorphology, topography, hydrology, and biodiversity.It stands on the Mountains of Chama, and it is made of a natural stone bridge 300 meters long.

Page 14: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Current governmentConstitutional Democratic Republic

Current leadersOtto Pérez Molina (2012) Main industries sugar, coffee, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Page 15: The Modern Country Guatemala.  brary/publications/the- world- factbook/geos/gt.html

Religion50–60% Roman Catholic, 30-40% Protestant, 8% Orthodox and 1% follow the indigenous Mayan faith

LanguageSpanish 60%, native languages 40% (23 officially recognized native languages)

SportsSoccer is the most popular sportAlso baseball, American football, boxing and basketball are all popular.