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Guatemala People
Browse the information below for demographic information on Guatemala, including population,
religion, nationality and more. If you do not find the Guatemala information you need on the
people page, check out our complete listing on the Guatemala Country Page.
Guatemala Geography
Guatemala Government
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People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Guatemalan(s). Population (2002 est.): 11.5 million. Annual population growth rate: 2.6%. Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian), indigenous. Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan. Languages: Spanish, 24 indigenous languages (principally Kiche, Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi, and Mam). Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--41%. Literacy--55.6%. Health: Infant mortality rate--31/1,000. Life expectancy--66.45 yrs. Work force (50% of the population engages in some form of agriculture, often at the subsistence level outside the monetized economy) salaried breakdown: services--40%; industry and commerce--37%; agriculture--15%; construction, mining, utilities--4%.
People of Guatemala
More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples. Westernized Mayans and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Mayan religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively. Though the official language is Spanish, it is not universally understood among the indigenous population. However, the peace accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages (see summary of main substantive accords).
source: http://www.state.gov
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Guatemala Geography
Guatemala Government
Guatemala Economy
Guatemala History
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