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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 91, FM 0, shortwave 15

Radios [time series]

400,000 (1993 est.)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala domestic: NA international : connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

210,000 (1993 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

Televisions [time series]

475,000 (1993 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.25 billion (1995) expenditures : $1.35 billion, including capital expenditures of $385 million (1995)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos

Debt - external [time series]

$3.1 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $274 million (1994)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing and construction, predominantly in private hands, account for about 20% of GDP and 18% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993-94, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and annual growth averaged 4%. Strong international prices for Guatemala's traditional commodity exports featured 4.9% growth in 1995; growth receded to 3% in 1996. Given the markedly uneven distribution of land and income, the government faces major obstacles in its program of economic modernization and the reduction of poverty.

Electricity - capacity [time series]

973,500 kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita [time series]

255 kWh (1995 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.229 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 6.0527 (January 1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5.6354 (1993), 5.1706 (1992)

Exports [time series]

total value: $1.81 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, beef partners: US 30%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $39 billion (1996 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 25% industry: 20% services: 55%

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $3,460 (1996 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3% (1996 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value : $3.11 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 44%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate - consumer price index) [time series]

10.9% (1996)

Labor force [time series]

total: 3.1 million (1995 est.) by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%, manufacturing 14%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%, utilities 0.3%, mining 0.1% (1995)

Unemployment rate [time series]

4.9%; underemployment 30%-40% (1994 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 108,890 sq km land: 108,430 sq km water: 460 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Tennessee

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

400 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified : Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates [time series]

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Geography - note [time series]

no natural harbors on west coast

Irrigated land [time series]

1,250 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

Land use [time series]

arable land : 12% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland: 54% other : 5% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico

Map references [time series]

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle

Terrain [time series]

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Constitution [time series]

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note: suspended 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. PLANTY (18 July 1996) embassy: 7-01 Avenida la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone : (502) 331-1541

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Miguel LAMPORT Kelsall chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone : [1] (202) 745-4952 through 4954

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14 January 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (since 14 January 1996); Vice President Luis Alberto FLORES Asturias (since 14 January 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 12 November 1995; runoff held 7 January 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results : Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro Enrique ARZU Irigoyen (PAN) 51.2%, Jorge PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 48.8%

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 745-1908 consulate(s) general : Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

(502) 334-8477

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia); additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the President of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress

Legal system [time series]

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 12 November 1995 to select 80 new congressmen (next to be held in November 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAN 43, FRG 21, FDNG 6, DCG 4, UCN 3, UD 2, MLN 1 note: on 11 November 1993 the congress approved a procedure that reduced its number from 116 seats to 80; the procedure provided for a special election in mid-1994 to elect an interim congress of 80 members to serve until replaced in the November 1995 general election; the plan was approved in a general referendum in January 1994 and the special election was held on 14 August 1994

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Guatemala

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

National Centrist Union or UCN [Juan AYERDI Aguilar]; Christian Democratic Party or DCG [Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen]; National Liberation Movement or MLN [Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Sergio FLORES Cruz]; Revolutionary Party or PR [Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Democratic Union or UD [Jose CHEA Urruela]; New Guatemalan Democratic Front or FDNG [Rafael ARRIAGA Martinez]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM; Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; leftist movement of former guerrillas known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union or URNG has four main factions - Guerrilla Army of the Poor or EGP; Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms or ORPA; Rebel Armed Forces or FAR; Guatemalan Labor Party or PGT/O; note - signed peace treaty with government on 29 December 1996; URNG formally disbanded 29-30 March 1997

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$128.3 million (1996)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.8% (1996)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49 : 2,741,575 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males: 1,791,136 (1997 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 129,408 (1997 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 2,571,885; female 2,465,902) 15-64 years: 53% (male 3,117,718; female 3,121,276) 65 years and over : 4% (male 192,334; female 216,580) (July 1997 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

36.45 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.13 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian 44%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

49.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 65.64 years male: 63.02 years female : 68.39 years (1997 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 55.6% male: 62.5% female : 48.6% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan

Net migration rate [time series]

-2.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Population [time series]

11,685,695 (July 1997 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.73% (1997 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.89 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

border with Belize in dispute; talks to resolve the dispute are ongoing

Illicit drugs [time series]

transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy GUERNSEY (British crown dependency)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

446 (1996 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 318 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 5 under 914 m: 309 (1996 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 128 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m : 119 (1996 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 12,795 km paved: 3,519 km (including 135 km of expressways) unpaved : 9,276 km (1995 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

none

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 275 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

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

Railways [time series]

total : 884 km (102 km privately owned) narrow gauge: 884 km 0.914-m gauge (single track)

Waterways [time series]

260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season