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Map of Guatamala
Guatamala-"Land of Eternal Spring"
Guatemala is known as “The Land of Eternal Spring.” It is about the size of Ohio, with a population of about 10 million people. Guatemala is beautiful Latin America country, rich in culture and history.
Up to 60% of the population is indigenous, descendants of the Mayan people. (The term “Indigenous” is preferred to “Indio” or “Indian” which is often used pejoratively.) Some of the women and men still wear traditional dress and observe traditional customs. There are 22 distinct indigenous languages, though Spanish is spoken and understood in most areas. The “Ladinos” (people of mixed descent) control Guatemala’s economy, government and military. Most indigenous people live in poverty.
During the 1980s, Guatemala underwent a gruesome civil war which took a terrible toll on the civilian population. Guatemala signed peace accords with the guerilla forces in December of 1996. Conditions have improved greatly since the war but the country still suffers from great poverty and social conflicts.
Up to 60% of the population is indigenous, descendants of the Mayan people. (The term “Indigenous” is preferred to “Indio” or “Indian” which is often used pejoratively.) Some of the women and men still wear traditional dress and observe traditional customs. There are 22 distinct indigenous languages, though Spanish is spoken and understood in most areas. The “Ladinos” (people of mixed descent) control Guatemala’s economy, government and military. Most indigenous people live in poverty.
During the 1980s, Guatemala underwent a gruesome civil war which took a terrible toll on the civilian population. Guatemala signed peace accords with the guerilla forces in December of 1996. Conditions have improved greatly since the war but the country still suffers from great poverty and social conflicts.
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