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 Guatemala is about 42,042 sq mi, roughly the size of Tennessee. It is surrounded by Mexico, Honduras, Belize, and El Salvador. They have a republican government with one legislative house. The current presidente is Óscar Berger Perdomo.  National symbols of Guatemala include: its flag, the coat of arms (also found in the middle of the flag), the quetzal (national bird and currency), White Nun Orchid/Monja Blanca, its National anthem, ¡Guatemala feliz!, the Ceiba tree, and Tecún Umán, the national hero. Quick FactsPopulation: 12,293,545 Infant mortality rate:30.94 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: 69.38 years (male: 67.65 years female: 71.18 years) Total fertility rate: 3.82 children born/woman Nationality: Guatemalan Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census) Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca) Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 70.6% male: 78% female: 63.3% (2003 est.) *Note: most numbers are 2006 estimates from the CIA Factbook unless otherwise specified  Some helpful links: |