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Guatemala:
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Other pages in this profile of Guatemala:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees. |
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Location |
Definition Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 15 30 N, 90 15 W |
Map references |
Definition Central America and the Caribbean |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 108,890 sq km land: 108,430 sq km water: 460 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition slightly smaller than Tennessee |
Land boundaries |
Definition total: 1,687 km border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km |
Coastline |
Definition 400 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
Climate |
Definition tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands |
Terrain |
Definition mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m |
Natural resources |
Definition petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 13.22% permanent crops: 5.6% other: 81.18% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition 1,300 sq km (2003) |
Total renewable water resources |
Definition 111.3 cu km (2000) |
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural) |
Definition total: 2.01 cu km/yr (6%/13%/80%) per capita: 160 cu m/yr (2000) |
Natural hazards |
Definition numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms |
Environment - current issues |
Definition deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
Geography - note |
Definition no natural harbors on west coast |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |