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[|WELCOME TO GUATEMALA] ON THIS PAGE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND OUT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO NO ABOUT THE COUNTRY GUATEMALA.

[|**Languages:**]Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Population (2008 est.): 13,002,206 (growth rate: 2.1%); birth rate: 28.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 28.7/1000; life expectancy: 69.9; density per sq km: 119 [|**Capital and largest city (2003 est.):**]Guatemala City, 2,655,900 (metro. area), 1,128,800 (city proper)
 * Land area:** 41,865 sq mi (108,430 sq km); **total area:** 42,042 sq mi (108,890 sq km)

[|**Cu] [|rrent government**]
 * [|**Ethnicity/race:**]Mestizo (Ladino)—mixed Amerindian-Spanish ancestry—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% (2001)**
 * President:** Álvaro Colom Caballeros (2008)

[|HOLIDAYS] On January 15, the day of the Black Christ is celebrated in Esquipulas. || Lent processions begin throughout Guatemala. || Lent and Easter week processions throughout Guatemala. The largest processions occur in Antiqua Guatemala on Good Friday. || On May 2and 3, the Day of the Cross is celebrated with colorful traditions at Lake Amatitlán near Guatemala City. On May 9, Jueves de Ascención is celebrated with traditional music, flowers and prayers at Lake Chicabal. Please be very respectful of this tradition and do not take photographs. || July 25 is the town fair in Antigua Guatemala, with parades, music and other festivities. On July 27 the annual Rabin Ajau beauty pageant is held in Cobán, with traditional dances and music. || On August 15, Guatemala City celebrates the day of our Lady of the Ascension. || September 15 is the national holiday to commemorate Guatemala's independence from Spain in 1821. The largest holiday fair is in Quetzaltenango. || On October 20, Guatemalans celebrate the overthrow of dictator Jorge Ubico in 1944 and the beginning of 10 years of revolutionary government known as the "10 Years of Spring." || All Saints Day, celebrated on November 1, is celebrated with unique traditions throughout Guatemala. Giant kites are flown in the cemeteries of Santiago Sacatepéquez and Sumpango near Antiqua Guatemala. Many Guatemalans feast on a traditional food know as fiambre. An unusual horse race is held in Todos Santos Cuchumatán. || The town fair in Chichicastenango culminates on December 21 with traditional dances and music. Nativity scenes, hand-made Christmas ornaments and small processions known as "posadas" create a joyful atmosphere during December ||
 * **January**
 * **February**
 * **March/April**
 * **May**
 * **July**
 * **August**
 * **September**
 * **October**
 * **November**
 * **December**

[|CLIMATE] The best time to visit is November-April, when there's less rain. It's always cooler in the mountains (usually in the 60s F/15-22 C) and hot and humid in the lowlands (especially on the Pacific coast). Tikal can be very hot in the summer (in the 90s F/33-37 C and humid), but take a sweater and long-sleeved shirt for the evenings and a jacket for Guatemala City. In September, when tropical storms move in from the Caribbean, it can rain for days on end.

[|THINGS TO DO **Antigua**] Largest Mayan ruins in the world, surrounded by rainforest. Requires short flight to get there. Gorgeous, relaxing, a must-see.

Breathtakingly beautiful lake, surrounded by volcanoes and interesting Mayan towns. Great for relaxing or for active sightseeing. for more things to do Located in Sacatepequez, Antigua Guatemala is a colonial city. It has a lot of buildings that once were public buildings, for example there was a city jail, a university, monasteries, and old churches that now are [|tourist] places. This city is all surrounded by history, and embraces you with its [|beauty]. Most of the architecture found in Antigua, is Baroque. UNESCO designated Antigua as World Heritage site.

Spanish music artist 1.__ Laura Pausini media type="custom" key="3617485" __ 2. __ La Unión __ 3. __ Juaquin Sabina __ 4. __ Mocedades __