1961
676,550
Flockulation (1961-2021)
2021
601,152
Change
-75,398
Overview
Ewe won't believe how stunning Guatemala is! This Central American gem packs ancient Maya ruins, volcanic peaks, and colorful markets into one wool-derful package. It's a country that'll have your whole flock planning a visit.
Geography
Guatemala features highland plateaus, Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and over 30 volcanoes including active Santiaguito and Pacaya. The Sierra Madre runs through the interior, while the Río Motagua and Río Usumacinta carve through lush lowland regions.
History
The Maya civilization flourished here for millennia before Spanish conquest in 1524. Guatemala gained independence in 1821, endured a brutal 36-year civil war ending in 1996, and has since worked toward democratic stability and reconciliation.
Culture
Guatemala's culture blends Maya and Spanish traditions. Indigenous languages like K'iche' and Kaqchikel thrive alongside Spanish. Semana Santa processions, colorful huipil textiles, marimba music, and vibrant markets in Chichicastenango define daily and ceremonial life.
Economy
Agriculture drives the economy, with coffee, bananas, sugar, and cardamom as top exports. Remittances from abroad are significant. Textiles, manufacturing, and tourism also contribute, though income inequality and rural poverty remain ongoing challenges.
Food
Guatemalan cuisine features pepián, a rich seed-based stew, and tamales wrapped in banana leaves. Black beans, corn tortillas, and chiles are staples. Rellenitos — sweet fried plantain balls — are a beloved dessert worth every baa-te.
Tourism
Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage city, dazzles with colonial architecture. Lake Atitlán stuns with volcanic scenery. Tikal's towering Maya temples rise from jungle canopy. Semuc Champey's turquoise pools and Chichicastenango's market round out a remarkable itinerary.
People
Guatemala's 18 million people are roughly half Indigenous Maya and half Ladino. It's one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the Americas, with 22 recognized Maya linguistic groups. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú is a globally respected Guatemalan figure.
Nature
Guatemala hosts cloud forests, tropical rainforests, and mangroves. Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve protects quetzals — the national bird. Howler monkeys, jaguars, and sea turtles share ecosystems alongside highland sheep grazing the cool Altiplano pastures.
Fun Facts
Guatemala is the world's top cardamom exporter. The quetzal, its national bird and currency, is considered a symbol of freedom. Lake Atitlán sits in a massive volcanic caldera. The Maya Long Count calendar, originating here, sparked worldwide buzz in 2012.
