Recent Changes

Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in July 2006 spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest decile comprising over 40% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line and 15% lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up 38% of the population, averages 76% and extreme poverty rises to 28%. 43% of children under five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. President COLOM entered into office with the promise to increase education, healthcare, and rural development, and in April 2008 he inaugurated a conditional cash transfer program, modeled after programs in Brazil and Mexico, that provide financial incentives for poor families to keep their children in school and get regular health check-ups. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Economic growth fell in 2009 as export demand from US and other Central American markets fell and foreign investment slowed amid the global recession, but the economy recovered gradually in 2010 and will likely return to more normal growth rates by 2012. President COLOM, in his last year in office, will likely face opposition to economic reform, particularly over a long-delayed tax reform and an IMF-recommended reform to strengthen the banking sector. Larger budget deficits and increased debt can be expected in 2011.
What type of government do you have in Guatemala?( ¿Qué tipo de Gobierno tienen en Guatemala?)
and Executive. ÁlvaroAlvaro Colom is
What is the favorite national sport of Gutemala?( ¿Qué es el deporte nacional preferido de Gutemala?)
Definitely futbol because we have a national team and ussually make it in to the world cup every 4 years. Everybody there plays all the time in fact I used to play futbol myself. Sadly though the national team has never won a world cup

?InterviewInterview
what is the education like in your country?( ¿Qué es la educación como en su país?)
The education system of Guatemala is fighting with a lot of problems that are stretching to the whole range of educational courses available. Nursery schools that are used as preparation for the elementary school, elementary schools, schools for professional training as well as universities suffer -as long as they are in the hands of the state- from severe lack of money, less qualified teachers and inadequate and bad equipped training rooms. Private schools that are providing the same educational offers like state schools do not know these problems, but only the better-off middle and upper class that are only accounting for a very small part of the population are privileged to enter these schools.

?Interview
what is the education like in your country?( ¿Qué es la educación como en su país?)
The education system of Guatemala is fighting with a lot of problems that are stretching to the whole range of educational courses available. Nursery schools that are used as preparation for the elementary school, elementary schools, schools for professional training as well as universities suffer -as long as they are in the hands of the state- from severe lack of money, less qualified teachers and inadequate and bad equipped training rooms. Private schools that are providing the same educational offers like state schools do not know these problems, but only the better-off middle and upper class that are only accounting for a very small part of the population are privileged to enter these schools.
What is the economy like right now there?(¿Qué es la economía como ahora?)
Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in July 2006 spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest decile comprising over 40% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line and 15% lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up 38% of the population, averages 76% and extreme poverty rises to 28%. 43% of children under five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. President COLOM entered into office with the promise to increase education, healthcare, and rural development, and in April 2008 he inaugurated a conditional cash transfer program, modeled after programs in Brazil and Mexico, that provide financial incentives for poor families to keep their children in school and get regular health check-ups. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Economic growth fell in 2009 as export demand from US and other Central American markets fell and foreign investment slowed amid the global recession, but the economy recovered gradually in 2010 and will likely return to more normal growth rates by 2012. President COLOM, in his last year in office, will likely face opposition to economic reform, particularly over a long-delayed tax reform and an IMF-recommended reform to strengthen the banking sector. Larger budget deficits and increased debt can be expected in 2011.
What type of government do you have in Guatemala?( ¿Qué tipo de Gobierno tienen en Guatemala?)
Guatemala has a Constitutional democratic republic which means the states as the central government is divided into three branches: Legislative, Judicial, and Executive. Álvaro Colom is the President of Guatemala
What is the favorite national sport of Gutemala?( ¿Qué es el deporte nacional preferido de Gutemala?)
Definitely futbol because we have a national team and ussually make it in to the world cup every 4 years. Everybody there plays all the time in fact I used to play futbol myself. Sadly though the national team has never won a world cup
If I came to Guatemala as a tourist, what sites would you recommend I visit?( ¿Si llegué a Gutemala como turista, qué sitios recomendaría que visitar?)
I would recommend visiting Flores because it is a good starting point to access Mayan ruins of Tikal, the largest of the maya ruins. I also recommend visiting the capital, Guatemala city, because it has many amenities. Another great place to visit is lake Atitlan, A volcano-rimmed lake with plenty of backpacker hostels and Mayan villages that dot the shores.

1).What did you and your group members decide to do?
Sponsor a Guatemalan child through an organization like Save the Children or World Vision.
2). Why did you choose to do “your action”?
Because sponsoring a child in Guatemala would finance their education
3). Did you and your group members consider working with a non-governmental organization or global partnership as part of your action? Why or why not? Please explain.
Yes, we did. We felt that it would be safer to work with a non-governmental organization because they tend to be more trustworthy than governments, which can be corrupt.
4).What kind of an impact do you think your choice (plan of action) will have on your country’s MDG?
It will be a small impact, but it will be meaningful.

Educacion
Tasa de alfabetizacion de adultos: 74 por ciento
Obligatorio por los anos de 7 a 14
Communication
Telephones- 11 per 1000
Daily Newspaper Circulation-25,000 circulated
Televisions- 158 per 1000
Communicacion
Telefonos- once por un mil
Circulación diaria de periódico- viente cinco mil
Telivisiones- un cien y cincuenta y cho por un mil
Transportation
Highways in Miles- 14,095 km
Usable Airfields- 372
Automobiles in Use- 19 per 1000 own a car
Transportacion
Kilómetros de carretera- catorce mil y noventa y cinco kilometres
Ferrocarriles en millas- tres cien y trienta y dos km
Aeropuetres- tres cien y setenta y dos
Automobilos que usan- diecenueve por un mil
Government
Type- presidential representative democratic republic
Political Parties- Center For Social Action (CASA), Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Edwin Armando MARTINEZ Herrera]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO];
Suffrage- 18 years of age, universal; active members of armed forces not allowed to vote
Gobierno
Tipo- Republica Democratica con un presidente
Dia de Independencia- 18 de Septiembre 1821 de Espana y Mexico
Lider del Estado- Presidente Alvarro Caballeros
Affiliaciones de Politico- Centro para la acción social (CASA), frente de democracia (FRENTE), Unión Democrática, Encuentro de Guatemala
Sufragio- 18 anos, universal, miembros activos de militar no autorizados a votar
Military
Defense Budget- .4% of GDP
Active Troops- 2 years of conscripted services for all men, when they turn 18, lasting from 1 to 2 years; 171,000 become eligible each year
Economy
Monetary Unit-
Inflation Rate-
Unemployment Rate-
Labor Force-
Natural Resources-
Agriculture-
Industry-
Exports-
Imports-Militario
Presupuesto de defensa- ,4% de producto interno bruto
Tropas activas- 2 años de servicios reclutados para todos los hombres, cuando cumplen 18, una duración de 1 a 2 años; 171,000 optar cada año

Environmental concerns- deforestation in the Petén rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Climate- These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks.
Geografia
Capital- El Ciudad de Guatemala
Caracteresticas Geograficas- El pais en montanosa con a pocito del desierto, los colinas de arena, valles con colinas con mucho del populacion, menos el costa de sur y los tierras bajas del norte en el departemente de Peten. Dos rangos de montanas entran Guatemala del oeste y este, brechan el pais en tres regiones principales; la costa del Pacific, sur de los montanas, y el region de Peten, mas norte de los montanas. Todos los centros urbanes estan en los valles con colinas, y el costa del Pacific, con mucho mas del populacion del region de Peten.
Clima- Todos los regiones tienen climas differentes, elevacion, y el paijase, y propocionen contrastes dramaticos entre el calor y humedo tierras bajas y mas frio montanas con mas elevacion
People
Total Population- 13,276,517
female: 24.49 deaths/1,000 live births
Number of Physicians available (ratio)- 0.9 physicians per 1,000 people
People
Populacion Total- 13.276.517
Idiomas principales- Espanol y 22 idiomas indigenas
Composicion Etnica- Mestizo y European 59,4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8,4%, Mam 7,9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8,6%, indigenas no-Mayan 8,6%, otras 0,1%
Religion- 50-60% del populacion son Catolticas, 40% Protestante, y 1% practican los religiones tradicionales del Mayan
Health
Esperanza Vida- Hombres: 68,76 anos, Mujeres: 72,51 anos
Mortalidad Infantil Chichos: 29,22 muertes/1,000 nacios Chicas: 24,29 muertes/1,000 nacios
Medicos por 1,000 personas: 0,9
Education
Adult Literacy Rate- total adult literacy rate is 74 percent
Compulsory (Ages)- 7-14
Educacion
Tasa de alfabetizacion de adultos: 74 por ciento
Communication
Telephones- 11 per 1000

MDGPMDG Discussion Points
Geography
Capital- Guatemala City
Geographic features- The country is mountainous with small desert and sand dune patches, hilly valleys filled with people, except for the south coastal area and the vast northern lowlands of Petén department. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. All major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, Petén is sparsely populated.
water pollution
Climate- These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks.
People
Televisions- 158 per 1000
Transportation
in Miles- 14,095 km
Railroads in Miles- 332 km
Usable Airfields- 372
Automobiles in Use- 19 per 1000 own a car
Government
Type- presidential representative democratic republic
Independence Date- September 18, 1821 from Spain and Mexico
of State- President Alvarro Caballeros
Political Parties- Center For Social Action (CASA), Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Edwin Armando MARTINEZ Herrera]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO];
Suffrage- 18 years of age, universal; active members of armed forces not allowed to vote
Military
Defense Budget- .4% of GDP
Active Troops- 2 years of conscripted services for all men, when they turn 18, lasting from 1 to 2 years; 171,000 become eligible each year
Economy
Monetary Unit-

MDG Discussion Points (Country Background)
Geography
Capital- Guatemala City
Geographic features- The country is mountainous with small desert and sand dune patches, hilly valleys filled with people, except for the south coastal area and the vast northern lowlands of Petén department. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. All major cities are located in the highlands and Pacific coast regions; by comparison, Petén is sparsely populated.
Environmental concerns- deforestation in the Petén rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Climate- These three regions vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and colder and drier highland peaks.
People
Total Population- 13,276,517
Major languages- Spanish and 22 indigenous languages
Ethnic makeup- 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%
Religions- 50–60% of the population is Catholic, 40% Protestant, and 1% follow the indigenous Mayan faith.
Health
Life Expectancy at Birth-
male: 68.76 years
female: 72.51 years
Infant Mortality Rate(Ratio)-
male: 29.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 24.49 deaths/1,000 live births
Number of Physicians available (ratio)- 0.9 physicians per 1,000 people
Education
Adult Literacy Rate- total adult literacy rate is 74 percent
Compulsory (Ages)- 7-14
Communication
Telephones- 11 per 1000
Daily Newspaper Circulation-25,000 circulated
Televisions- 158 per 1000
Transportation
Highways in Miles-
Railroads in Miles-
Usable Airfields-
Automobiles in Use- 19 per 1000 own a car
Government
Type- presidential representative democratic republic
Independence Date- September 18, 1821 from Spain and Mexico
Head of State-
Political Parties-
Suffrage-
Military
Defense Budget-
Active Troops-
Economy
Monetary Unit-
Inflation Rate-
Unemployment Rate-
Labor Force-
Natural Resources-
Agriculture-
Industry-
Exports-
Imports-