Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras between Honduras and Belize.
Land Area: 108,890 sq. km (42,042 sq. miles)
Coastline: 400 km (248.6 miles)
Highest Point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m (13,812 ft.)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean 0 m (0 ft.)
Notable Landmarks: Take a peek...

Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central American countries with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person of roughly one-half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of it, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. The 1996 signing of peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, however, widespread political violence and corruption continue to dampen investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Other ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking, and reducing the trade deficit.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): - $62.78 billion (2005 est.)
GDP Per Capita: $4,300 (2005 est.)
Number of Workers: 3.76 million (2005 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 7.5%
Currency: quetzal (GTQ), US dollar, (others allowed) What does it look like?

Type of Government: Constitutional democratic republic
Head of State: President Oscar Jose Rafael Berger (since 14 January 2004)
Head of Government: President Oscar Jose Rafael Berger (since 14 January 2004)
Capital City: Guatemala City
Legal Age to Vote: 18, universal.
Flag Design: Three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain), all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath.
Official Language: Spanish 60%. Amerindian language 40% (23 different recognized dialects)
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs.

The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created some 1 million refugees.