世界各国

Guatemala

Introduction to Guatemala

The Maya 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 led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.

Government

Capital:

Guatemala

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821) 

Economy

Economy overview:

Guatemala is the largest and most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, 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, but widespread political violence and corruption scandals continue to dampen investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Ongoing challenges include increasing government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, curtailing drug trafficking, and narrowing the trade deficit. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $56.5 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 22.5%
industry: 18.9%
services: 58.5% (2004 est.) 

Agriculture products:

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens 

Industries:

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism 

Transportation

Waterways:

990 km
note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season (2004)

Pipelines:

oil 480 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Airports:

452 (2003 est.)