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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$3.38 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $274 million (1994)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

The agricultural sector accounts for one-fourth of GDP and two-thirds of exports and employs more than half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Manufacturing and construction account for one-fifth of GDP. Since assuming office in January 1996, President ARZU has worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. The signing of the Peace Accords in December 1996, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment. In 1997, Guatemala met its economic targets when GDP growth accelerated to 4.1% and inflation fell to 9%. The government also increased tax revenues-historically the lowest in Latin America-to 9% of GDP and created a new tax administration. It also successfully placed $150 million in dollar-denominated notes in the international markets. Debt service costs should decline in 1998. Remaining challenges for the administration in 1998 include completing a deal with the IMF and stabilizing monetary policy. Throughout 1997, the Central Bank maintained a tight money supply, helping to control inflation, but it also caused high interest rates and led to operating losses for the bank. Early in 1998, it relaxed its monetary policy in an effort to correct these problems, but increased pressure on the quetzal has prompted the bank to intervene to prop up its value.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

766,000 kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

282 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

3.1 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates [time series]

free market quetzales (Q) per US$1-6.2580 (January 1998), 6.0653 (1997), 6.0495 (1996), 5.8103 (1995), 5.7512 (1994), 5.6354 (1993)

Exports [time series]

total value: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1997 est.) commodities: coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, petroleum partners: US 37%, El Salvador 13%, Honduras 7%, Costa Rica 5%, Germany 5%

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

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

purchasing power parity-$45.8 billion (1997 est.)

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

agriculture: 24% industry: 21% services: 55% (1997 est.)

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

purchasing power parity-$4,000 (1997 est.)

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

4.1% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997 est.) commodities: fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles partners: US 44%, Mexico 10%, Venezuela 4.6%, Japan, Germany

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1.9% (1996)

Industries [time series]

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

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

9% (1997 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 3.32 million (1997 est.) by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%, manufacturing 14%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%, utilities 0.3%, mining 0.1% (1995)

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.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.2% (1997 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative (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 (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, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Geography - note (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 de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: APO AA 34024 telephone: [502] (2) 31-15-41

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 1999) 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] (2) 31-88-85

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 four-year terms) elections: last held on 12 November 1995 to select 80 new congressmen (next to be held in November 1999) 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 [Raphael BARRIOS Flores]; 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 note: former guerrillas known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union or URNG signed peace treaty with government on 29 December 1996; URNG guerrillas formally disbanded 29-30 March 1997 and are in the process of forming a political party of the same name

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 (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

$132.9 million (1998 est.)

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

0.66% (1998 est.)

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,827,992 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 1,846,963 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 132,208 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43% (male 2,629,861; female 2,522,112) 15-64 years: 54% (male 3,213,744; female 3,216,415) 65 years and over: 3% (male 199,738; female 225,710) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

36.02 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.96 deaths/1,000 population (1998 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]

47.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 66.04 years male: 63.4 years female: 68.81 years (1998 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]

-1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

12,007,580 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.71% (1998 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: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.81 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (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; active eradication program of cannabis and opium poppy GUERNSEY (British crown dependency)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

479 (1997 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 12 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (1997 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 467 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 124 under 914 m: 333 (1997 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 13,100 km paved: 3,616 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 9,484 km (1996 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