Seeds of Hope |
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Guatemala |
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Bordering Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Mexico, the Republic of Guatemala is still dealing with the effects of a 36-year civil war. The war ended in 1996 when the government signed a peace agreement, but by then, more than 100,000 people had been killed and one million had been displaced from their homes.
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Guatemala |
With
everything from lush rainforests and
crystal-clear lakes to active volcanoes, beaches and Mayan ruins, Guatemala
is like a little version of central America. Visitors can pass from verdant
jungle to chill mountain pine forests in less than an hour, taking in the
vibrant Mayan cultures along the way. At Chichicastenango you can experience
ancient religious rituals, on the streets you can take in the elaborate colors
of indigenous dress, and at Francisco el Alto, you can shop at the
bustling market.
Most
Guatemalans live in the valleys of the mountain region, where the climate is temperate. More than
half the population (6.3 million) is Mayan. Although Spanish is the official
language, Guatemala has 22 indigenous languages. Adult literacy is just 63%
for men and 47% for women – the second lowest in the western hemisphere.| Webmaster: Andrew Scott Editing and design: Miranda Moore |
| Seeds of Hope is a project of the National Heritage Foundation |