GUATEMALA

MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL ELEMENTS

• A mountainous country of rolling hills, plateaus, deep river valley, and numerous volcanoes.

THE CURRENCY AND THE EXCHANGE RATE ONE US DOLLAR

• 1.00USD=7.64850 GTQ- Guatemalan Quetazal

THE MAJOR ATTRACTIONS/ FUN ACTIVITIES

• Tikal
• Lago de atitlan
• Santa Catalina arch
• Flores
• Monterrico

THE MAIN RELIGIONS

• Roman Catholic
• Protestant
• Indigenous Mayan beliefs

DESCRIBE THE INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT

• The 19th century- Guatemala gained their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821: It briefly became part of the Mexican empire and then for a period belonged to a federation called the United provinces of Central America.

THE CURRENT LEADER

• Jimmy Morales

THE CURRENT LEADER

• Unitary state
• Presidential system constitutional republic

FOOD/CUSTOMS/TRADITIONS

• Pepian the jocòn- influenced by the history of Guatemala
• Fin del año (New Years eve) Guatemala city's plaza major is the hotspot for this night of celebration.

FAMOUS PEOPLE

• Jacobo Arbenz- military officer/ former president
• Mateo Flores- athlete
• Carlos Pena- singer

CLIMATE

• November thru April is the dry season and in the mountainous central region it is an ideal climate for outdoor pursuits with average temp. Of 18c .

THE FALG

• In the guatemalan flags coal of arms, the crossed rifles indicate Guatemalans willingness to defend itself by war if need be; while the olive branches symbolize the preferred peace.