Guatemala
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Capital
Guatemala City
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Local time
23:02
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Population
15.55 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+502
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Currency
Q GTQ (quetzal)
Guatemala
-
Capital
Guatemala City
-
Local time
23:02
-
Population
15.55 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+502
-
Currency
Q GTQ (quetzal)
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Average Salary
$ 570
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Petrol price
€ 1.01 pl
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Precipitation
1 996mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
108 890 km2
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Protected Area
32%
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Forest Area
33%
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Agricultural area
35%
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Annual air passengers
111 830
Population
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Ethnicity
Mestizo and European - 59 %
K'iche - 9 %
Kaqchikel - 8 %
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Religion
Roman Catholic
Protestant
indigenous
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Literacy rates
81.3%
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Languages
Spanish - 60 %
Amerindian languages - 40 %
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Armed Forces
43 050
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Alcohol consumption
3.9 l/person
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Diabetes
11.1%
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Malaria
1%
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Tuberculosis
25 per 100k
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HIV
0.5%
Economy
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Industries
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
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Agriculture
sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom, cattle, sheep, pigs
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Natural Resources
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
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Energy Import
32%
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Natural Resources
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
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Renewable Energy
59%
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CO2 Emissions
18 328kt
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Ease of Business
97 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
35
What not to do when visiting Guatemala
Guatemala Don’t forget to shake hands with direct eye contact when greeting (men). Women shake hands or give a light touch on the forearm. Friends kiss each other once on the cheek.
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Guatemala Don't wear flip-flops to explore Mayan ruins - go with proper shoes.
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Guatemala Don’t be surprised by occasional touching during the conversation - it’s pretty common.
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Did you know?
According to legend, if a child of the Maya civilisation in Guatemala did not cry when he was born, he was to become a warrior.
Guatemala Don't pass all the people without being silent - it's polite to say hello or speak softly.
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Guatemala Don't take photos of locals without their permission.
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Guatemala Don‘t forget to be cautious and aware of your surroundings at all times - keep a low profile not to attract extra attention for small robbery crimes. Guatemala has a higher crime rate.
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Guatemala Don’t put the thumb in between the middle and index finger while making a fist - it‘s an obscene gesture.
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Guatemala Don’t forget to wave goodbye by raising their hands with the palm facing in and wave their fingers at themselves.
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Did you know?
Guatemala arguably has the highest population of Mayans in the world and is home to 21 different Mayan dialects.
Guatemala Don't always expect everyone speaks Spanish - some people speak indigenous languages like K'iche or Kekchi.
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Guatemala Don't necessary use public ATMs - watch out for scams.
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Guatemala Don’t leave your drinks or food unattended in a bar or restaurant.
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Guatemala Don’t underestimate the power of the Pacific ocean - beware of strong currents riptides and undertow along Pacific coast beaches. Warning signs or beach guards are rare.
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Guatemala Don't always expect to have the famous Guatemala coffee - most of the coffee is exported and it can be hard to find it everywhere served.
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Guatemala Don’t be loud in public.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Guatemala Don’t be a victim of mosquito-borne diseases - protect yourself against bites by mosquitoes.
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