Guatemala Belize El Salvador Honduras Nicaragua Costa Rica Panama

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: The Republic of Guatemala, commonly known as Guatemala, is located in the western part of Central America. It covers an area of 108,000 square kilometers, with mountains accounting for two-thirds of its territory. Guatemala is often referred to as the "Land of Forests." It is said that in indigenous languages, the word "Guatemala" means "land of dense forests." The region is rich in precious redwood. Although Guatemala is in the tropical zone, its climate is influenced by its topography. For example, in Guatemala City at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the climate is similar to that of Kunming in China's Yunnan Province, which enjoys a spring-like climate year-round. The average annual temperature is 20.5°C, earning it the name "Kingdom of Eternal Spring."
Population: 8.49 million, with 90% of the population being Catholics. Spanish is the official language, while indigenous languages are widely spoken. Some individuals also speak English. The capital is Guatemala City. The currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal.
Guatemala is the birthplace of the ancient Maya civilization. It gained independence in 1821, joined the Central American Federation in 1923, and established a republic in 1839. Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica form the Central American Economic Integration System (CAEIS), with Guatemala serving as the headquarters. The General Secretariat of CAEIS is responsible for formulating economic development plans and organizing their implementation. Among these five countries, Guatemala is responsible for food and related industries, as well as tires, groceries, and processing.
The embroidery on Guatemalan men's and women's clothing serves not only as decoration but also carries symbolic meanings, such as the feathered serpent and the sun, which symbolize the Maya people. Additionally, subtle variations in clothing can indicate a person's social status, marital status, and whether the garment is for daily wear or ceremonial use.