Basic information on Guatemala, including population, travel requirements and economy.
Capital: Guatemala City. There are 22 departments: 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
Population: 12,293,545 (as of July 2006)
Language: About 60% speak Spanish and 40% speak one of the 23 Indian languages.
Land Size: Slightly smaller than Tennessee
Economy: Coffee, sugar and banana help sustain Guatemala's economy.
Climate: Humid in lowlands and cooler in highlands; tropical and hot
Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms.
Travel Requirements:
- Passport required
- Visa not required for visits less than 90 days
Airlines: American Airlines flies from Dallas or Miami to Guatemala daily.
Vaccinations: There are no required vaccinations for Guatemala but your doctor may recommend getting a malaria vaccine for rural areas at altitudes lower than 1,500 meters or 4,921 feet.
