Where in The World is Guatemala?: A Tour of The Nation of Guatemala, Plus a Recipe for Mango-avocado Salsa
by David C. Wyld Southeastern Louisiana University on 28/09/11 at 9:51 am
This article provides an overview of Guatemala – the country, the culture, the people, and a recipe, too. It was prepared by John Edmund Sencial III while an International Business major in the College of Business at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Introduction
Guatemala is a country that sparks much interest to me for many different reasons. Most importantly, it was where my primary heritage is from. My grandparents on my father’s side of the family where born and raised in Guatemala City, or better known as Guatemala de la Asunción to the natives. In the following pages I will provide extensive detail on my grandparent’s birthplace, Guatemala.
Country Information
- Geographic Facts
Here are some geographic facts about Guatemala:
1. The 109,000 square km landlocked nation better known as Guatemala consists of a population of 13,824,463 according to July 2011 estimates from the CIA fact sheet website. In terms of world population, Guatemala is ranked 69th in population size. Also, more than 1 million of the population comes from the capitol, Guatemala City.
2. Guatemala borders Mexico to the north, Belize and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Honduras and El Salvador to the south and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Two mountain chains dominate the country, dividing it from west to east. All major cities are located in the high country or along the Pacific coast.
3. Guatemala in relation to size is just slightly smaller than Tennessee. The country has a very tropical climate and is humid in the lowlands and cooler in the highlands. The country is home to a lot of mountains as well as the Peten rainforest.
- “Serious” Facts
Here are some serious facts about Guatemala:
1. Current economic figures list Guatemala as being the largest and most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile (rainforests.Mongabay.com). Overall GDP is estimated at $70.15 billion which in comparison to the world is ranked 82nd. GDP per capita is estimated to be $5,200 which in comparison to the world is ranked 146th. Both of these estimates are from 2010 and are measured in U.S. dollars instead of the Guatemalan currency, also known as the Quetzal.
2. According to a global report, the average household income in 1999 was estimated at US $227, while in urban areas of the country the household income was US $423. In this same report it was said that over 70 percent of the population lives on less than 2 dollars a day. The distribution of income is 55.1 and in comparison to the world is ranked 11th.
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