·         General Information: Introduction; Population; Climate; Government

·         History

·         Culture: About the People; Diet; Clothing; Language; Religion

·         Travel Information: Currency; Time Zones; Electricity; Entry Requirements; Shopping; Telephones

·         Book List

Introduction

Guatemala is the second largest country in Central America. Caribbean jungles give rise to central highlands. The Mayan Empire once covered most of Guatemala. The Mayan legacy is strong today. Ruins abound in the jungles, while in the highlands the modern-day descendants of the Maya can be seen dressed in their traditional attire, going about their business.

Population

Guatemala has a population of 10.7 million people, with an annual growth rate of 2.6 percent. Unlike Honduras, Guatemala's population is split fairly evenly between Ladino (56 percent) and indigenous groups descended from the Maya (44 percent). There are some 28 different indigenous groups descended from the Maya, the largest of which include the Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Ixil, and Mam. Collectively, they refer to themselves as Maya or indigenos (the indigenous). They live throughout the country, but large numbers live in the western highlands.

Climate

Overall, Guatemala has a mild climate year round, although some areas are subject to extreme seasonal variations. Guatemalans often refer to their country as "La Tierra de la Primavera Eternal" or land of eternal spring, as Guatemala enjoys a mean temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. The central highlands (Guatemala City, Antigua, Lake Atitlan) can be quite hot during the day (temperatures can reach 90 degrees F in March and April) but temperatures invariably fall to 40 degrees or 50 degrees at night. Temperatures can be cold enough to snow at night in the highlands from December to February. The Pacific and Caribbean coasts along with the northern area of the country, known as the Peten are always hot and wet. The Peten is jungle in the traditional sense of the word. The low mountain regions in the southeast have desert-like climate.

Government

Guatemala has only been under civilian rule for ten years. In 1986, the first civilian president was elected. However, the military has strong ties to the large landowners and still wields significant power. Guatemala's president is the head of state and the head of government. The voting age is 18. The Congress of the Republic has 116 seats. President Aruz was elected in 1995.

History

Guatemala was absorbed into the Spanish Empire in the early sixteenth century. In 1523, Pedro de Alvarado, a conquistador under Hernan Cortes began the march from Mexico south, to Guatemala. He conquered the Maya tribes in the area, playing one tribe against another. The Mayan kingdoms were incorporated into the Kingdom and Captaincy-General of Guatemala.

In Guatemala, there was very little mixing between the Indian tribes and the Spanish. European diseases decimated Maya and Indian populations in ways that weapons never could. The Catholic church was given both land and Indians as property. Many priests and churches became rich from agriculture, based on Indian labor. The churches were untaxed, and gained great power.

Guatemala declared independence in 1821, but soon became part of Mexico, when Mexican forces marched into Central America. When Mexico's leader fell from power, it became part of the United Provinces of Central America. When the United Provinces fell apart in 1838, Guatemala finally gained true independence. Guatemala went through regime after regime, polarizing into two political factions. The conservatives wanted to preserve the existing power structures of the church and landowners, and the liberals wanted to dismantle the plantations. Throughout this time, real power lay with regional landowners, and the succession of regimes meant little or nothing to most Guatemalans.

The United States gained real influence through the development of the fruit industry, especially bananas. In the early 1900's, banana traders in New Orleans began to look at Central America as a reliable source of commercial bananas. In many ways, the banana companies were more influential than local governments. A series of military governments ruled Guatemala throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

The country was rocked by guerrilla warfare in the late 1970's and early 80's. The government took a scorched earth policy, killing an estimated 50,000 and displacing almost a million Guatemalans. In 1985, the constitution was modified, and the Guatemala held free elections. In 1993, the president was ousted after declaring martial law. His successor continued reforms and held talks with guerrilla leaders to aid the peace process. In 1995, President Aruz was elected for four years. In 1996, a peace treaty was signed between all warring factions

Culture

About the People

Guatemalans are generally a warm, caring people. Optimism is less common than the acceptance of misfortune. (This tendency toward fatalism stems directly from Mayan beliefs and is reinforced by the Catholic doctrine of determinism.) People often feel that they cannot change their situation. Personal criticism is taken seriously. While Guatemalans admire punctuality, they feel that people are more important, and schedules are not strictly adhered to.

Family status is important to Ladinos, while being treated as an equal is important to Maya. The Ladinos consider the Mayans to be inferior, and in some areas of the country, consider them less than human. The Maya have been subject to human rights abuses and discrimination. Rigoberta Menchu received a Nobel prize for her book describing the plight of her people.

Diet

Tortillas are eaten with every meal. Other foods include black beans, rice, and tamales. Meats are usually stewed, and sauces play an important role. Dishes are often indigenous to a certain village, as the ingredients and spices may only be found in that village. Lunch is usually the main meal. Tortillas are used as a utensil. It is considered impolite to eat with one's hands in one's lap. It is considered impolite to ask a host for more food, as he or she may be too poor to have more food, but if more food is offered, it is politely declined, and then accepted.

Clothing

Western clothing is generally worn throughout the country, but many Mayans retain their traditional dress. Each group's clothing is different, but some features are held in common. The faja is a belt worn by both sexes. Women wear wraparound skirts, while men wear knee or calf-length trousers. Men usually wear hats, and women often use ribbons in their hair. The huipil is a blouse that identifies a woman's status and hometown. Mayan clothing is made of exquisite woven patterns.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, but each indigenous group speaks its own language. Male indigenous Guatemalans are generally bilingual, however the women have fewer opportunities to attend school or interact with the Spanish-speaking Ladinos. Accordingly, they often do not learn to speak Spanish. English is understood in tourist centers

Religion

Roman Catholicism has traditionally dominated Guatemala, although not always in its purest form. The Mayans have taken Catholicism and mixed it with their own religions to form hybrids which are still called Catholic. In some cases what is called Catholicism is simply indigenous religions where saints and icons have taken the place of traditional gods and idols. Within the past twenty years, Catholicism has been giving way to evangelical and Protestant churches. About 45 percent of the population professes to be evangelical Christian. Increased religious devotion is often credited with the decrease in alcoholism and other social problems. Tension between Catholics and evangelicals has risen slightly in recent years.

Travel Information

Currency

The Quetzal is the national currency of Guatemala (Quetzal is named for the national bird.) 100 centavos make up one Quetzal (1Q). The Quetzal has traditionally been one of the most stable currencies in Central America. Changing money can be a laborious process. Ask your guide where to exchange money. Traveler's checks are widely accepted at banks, but at a lower exchange rate. Visa and MasterCard are accepted at large stores and restaurants, but usually carry a 3% processing fee.

Currency Converters:
http://www.xe.net/ucc/
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

Time Zones

Guatemala has the same time as United States Mountain Standard Time. There is no daylight savings time. Your flight schedule will reflect local times. Take these time differences into consideration when reviewing your flight schedule.

Electricity

Electricity is 110 volts throughout most of the country. You will not need adapters. However, be aware that there are occasional blackouts, as demand for electricity sometimes exceeds supply.

Entry Requirements

American and Candian citizens need a valid passport to enter Guatemala; the passport must be valid for six months after the date of entry.

Even when no inoculations are required, it is a good idea to consult your physician for optional inoculations. To contact the CDC directly, you may visit their website (http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm) or you may call the toll free number 888-232-3228 for more information. The CDC recommends that all travelers review the following vaccines with their physicians no later than ten weeks before departure (most are childhood vaccinations which should be kept up to date as a matter of course): Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine; Diptheria,Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP or DTaP) Vacine; Polio (OPV) Vaccine; Haemophilus Influenza B (HbCV) Vaccine; Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccine; Hepatitis A Vaccine and/or Immune Globulin.

Shopping

Guatemala is a tourist shopper's heaven. Traditional Mayan crafts abound. The best place to buy souvenirs is the town of Chichicastenango. On Thursdays and Sundays, the town hosts a market for the Mayans themselves, although foreigners are welcome. Be prepared to bargain. Jewelry, carvings, hammocks, and exquisite Mayan cloth can be bought at extremely low prices.

Telephones

Some hotels have direct dial to the United States, but they are rare, and usually expensive. The best way to communicate with the United States is to have someone call you.

Reading List

These carefully selected reading lists will help provide you with a firm background understanding for each destination or topic. We have done our best to select books that are still in print and easy to find, however, some we consider some books so valuable that we have included them even though they may be difficult to find. For your convenience, Holbrook has teamed with Amazon.com so that you may buy any book listed online.

    Breaking The Maya Code
Michael D. Coe, 1993

Coe, the noted Mayan expert, has written the inside story of the decipherment of an ancient script. 112 illustrations.

    In the Rainforest: Report From a Strange, Beautiful, Imperiled World
Catherine Caufield, 1991

An outstanding, objective examination of what is happening to tropical rainforests and their aboriginal populations. Noted journalist, Caufield, explores the destruction of rainforests in the Amazon, Central America and Papua New Guinea and searches for explanations.

         An Archaeological Guide to Northern Central America : Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador
Joyce Kelly, 1996 (Hardback Version)

This is an excellent guide to the archeological sites in these countries.   The pictures and commentary are excellent, and the book can serve as both background reading and a field guide.

    Popol Vuh: The Mayan Book of the Dawn of Life
Dennis Tedlock, 1986

This is Tedlock’s widely praised translation of the Popol Vuh; the Quiche Mayan book of creation. Tedlock, a brilliant anthropologist, was trained by a native Quiche master in the highlands of Guatemala.

    Scribes, Warriors and Kings: The City of Copán and the Ancient Maya
William L. Fash, 1993

Recent breakthroughs by Fash and other experts show how decipherment of the Maya inscriptions has unlocked the secrets of Copán’s history. Fash describes the city’s rise to statehood, its triumphs and its demise in the ninth century.

    Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan: Vol I
Incidents of Travel in Central America, Chiapas, and Yucatan: Vol II
Incidents of Travel in Yucatan: Vols I& II   (Click here for Hardback Edition)
John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood

Stephens and British artist Frederick Catherwood spent nine months exploring the previously unearthed Mayan sites in 1839. Their writings and illustrations, which brought Copán to public attention for the first time, became widely recognized and inspired generations of Mayan explorers.

    I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala
Elisa Burgos-Debray, 1987

Rigoberta Menchu, a Guatemalan peasant woman, won the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize for her struggles against the military. She speaks for her people and tells her relationship with nature, life, death, and her community.

    Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide
Louise Emmons, 1997 (Hard Cover)

A complete guide to the mammals of the rainforests with color and black and white plates, maps of habitats, clearly written descriptions, appendices, and a glossary of technical terms.