Source: MAPS IN MINUTES™ © RH Publications (1997)

A Central American country, bounded by Mexico on its north and west and by Honduras and El Salvador on its south-east. It has a southern coast on the Pacific Ocean and access to the Caribbean Sea on the east, where it is also bounded by Belize.

Physical

A very high range of volcanic mountains crosses Guatemala from east to west and rivers water the lower slopes, which support crops of coffee. The plateaux have a mild climate, the lowlands a hot one. Earthquakes are frequent, the country lying near a junction of crustal plates. One of Latin America’s most active volcanoes, Fuego, erupted in June 2018, killing at least 120 people, and causing significant destruction.

Economy

Guatemala has a primarily agricultural economy which employs almost 40% of the workforce. Important agricultural exports are coffee, sugar, bananas, and vegetables. Crude oil, discovered in the 1970s, is also exported. Industries include sugar processing, textiles, clothing, and furniture. Wealth distribution is very uneven, with over half the population living in poverty. Remittances from expatriates are important to the economy.

History

In prehistory Guatemala was culturally linked to the Yucatán peninsula and witnessed the rise of pre-Maya and Maya civilizations. The modern Guatemalan population is largely descended from Maya ancestors. In the northern and central lowlands arose the great, classic Maya cities such as Tikal, Uaxactún, Altar de Sacrificios, Piedras Negras, Yaxhá, and Seibal; in the southern highlands were the cities of Zacualpa, Kaminaljuyú, Cotzumalhuapa, and others. They had political and economic connections with each other, and with prehistoric cities in southern and central Mexico, such as Teotihuacán and Monte Albán (in Oaxaca). Spanish conquistadores arrived in 1523, seeking new American conquests, and the region soon became the Audiencia (a high court with a political role) of Guatemala, under the viceroyalty of New Spain. For almost three hundred years, Guatemala remained under Spanish rule. In 1821 it declared itself independent from Spain and became part of the short-lived Mexican empire of Iturbide. When that collapsed (1823), Guatemala helped to found the United Provinces of Central America (1823–38). Strong opposition to federation, led by Rafael Carrera, resulted in its collapse, Guatemala declaring itself an independent republic with Carrera its first President (1839–65). His successors as President became increasingly despotic. A left-wing government under Jacobo Arbenz (1951–54) instituted social reforms, before being forced to resign, following US intervention through the Central Intelligence Agency. Ten years of disorder were followed by the peaceful election of Julio César Méndez Montenegro as President (1966) on a moderate platform. But military intervention recurred, and during the 1970s and early 1980s violent suppression through the violation of human rights occurred. In 1985 civilian elections were restored. Jorge Serrano Elias, who became President in 1991, opened negotiations with the left-wing guerrilla movement URNG, and began a purge against the military for its corruption and repressive measures. In September 1991 he ended the long dispute over Belize, recognizing that country’s existence. In May 1993 Serrano was ousted following attempts to acquire dictatorial powers. Ramiro de Léon Carpio was elected President in June. Peace talks between the government and URNG guerrillas were resumed. In 1995 Alvaro Arzu was elected President, retaining power in further elections in 1996, which also saw the achievement of a peace settlement with the URNG. Arzu was succeeded as President in turn by Alfonso Portillo (2000), Óscar Berger (2004),Álvaro Colom (2008), and Otto Pérez Molina (2012). Molina promised to combat organized crime but was blocked by the opposition in the legislature. Although initially popular, he faced demands from peasant farmers who marched on the capital demanding faster rural development before becoming involved in a corruption investigation, which led to his resignation in Sept 2015. The subsequent election was inconclusive; run-off elections held in Oct 2015 elected Jimmy Morales of the National Convergence Front.