ENTRY REQUIREMENT(June, 2008)
A valid U.S. passport is required for all U.S. citizens to enter Guatemala and to depart Guatemala for return to the U.S.  Even if dual nationals are permitted to enter Guatemala on a second nationality passport, U.S. citizens returning to the United States from Guatemala are not allowed to board their flights without a valid U.S. passport.  Certificates of Naturalization, birth certificates, driver's licenses, and photocopies are not acceptable alternative travel documents.  While in Guatemala, U.S. citizens should carry their passports, or a photocopy of their passports, with them at all times.

An exit tax must be paid when departing Guatemala.  The exit tax (currently $30) is generally included in an airline ticket price, but may be charged separately.  There is an additional airport security fee (20 Quetzales, approximately $2.50) that all travelers must pay at the airport. (*) (Top)

HEALTH INFORMATION
A full range of medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside the city is limited.  Guatemala's public hospitals frequently experience serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment.  Care in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries.(*) (Top)

CRIME
The number of violent crimes reported by U.S. citizens and other foreigners has increased in recent years. Although the majority of tourists travel throughout Guatemala without mishap, violent criminal activity on the highways has increased, and tourists, among others, have been targeted. U.S. tourists are urged to be especially aware of safety and security concerns when traveling on the roads in Guatemala. Rather than traveling alone, use a reputable tour organization. Stay in groups; travel in a caravan consisting of two or more vehicles; and, stay on the main roads. Ensure that someone not traveling with you is aware of your itinerary. (*) (Top)

PEOPLE (June 2008)
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Guatemalan(s).
Population (2007 est.): 13.3 million.
Annual population growth rate (2006 est.): 2.4%.
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian), indigenous.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan.
Languages: Spanish, 24 indigenous languages (principally Kiche, Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi, and Mam).
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--41%. Literacy--70.6%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2005)--32/1,000. Life expectancy (2005)--69 yrs.
Work force salaried breakdown: Services--40%; industry and commerce--37%; agriculture--15%; construction, mining, utilities--4%. Fifty percent of the population engages in some form of agriculture, often at the subsistence level outside the monetized economy. (Top)

GEOGRAPHY
Area: 108,890 sq. km. (42,042 sq. mi.); about the size of Tennessee.
Cities: Capital--Guatemala City (metro area pop. 2.5 million).
Other major cities--Quetzaltenango, Escuintla.
Terrain: Mountainous, with fertile coastal plain.
Climate: Temperate in highlands; tropical on coasts. (*) (Top)

GOVERNMENT
Type: Constitutional democratic republic.
Constitution: May 1985; amended November 1993.
Independence: September 15, 1821.
Branches: Executive--president (4-year term; 1 term limit). Legislative--unicameral 158-member Congress (4-year term). Judicial--13-member Supreme Court of Justice (5-year term).
Subdivisions: 22 departments (appointed governors); 331 municipalities with elected mayors and city councils.
Suffrage: Universal for adults 18 and over who are not serving on active duty with the armed forces or police. A variety of procedural obstacles have historically reduced participation by poor, rural, and indigenous people, but implementation in 2007 of voting reform legislation nearly doubled the number of voting tables, resulting in higher participation in rural areas, including among indigenous people. (*) (Top)

ECONOMY
Real GDP (2007 est.): $24.13 billion.
Real GDP growth (2007 est.): 5.7%.
Per capita GDP PPP (2006): $4,317.
Natural resources: Oil, timber, nickel, gold.
Agriculture (13.3% of GDP): Products--coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamom, vegetables, flowers and plants, timber, rice, rubber.
Manufacturing (18% of GDP): Types--prepared food, clothing and textiles, construction materials, tires, pharmaceuticals.
Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$6.0 billion: coffee, bananas, sugar, crude oil, chemical products, clothing and textiles, vegetables. Major markets--U.S. 46.2%, Central American Common Market (CACM) 27.2%, Mexico 5.9%. Imports--$11.9 billion: machinery and equipment, fuels, mineral products, chemical products, vehicles and transport materials, plastic materials and products. (*) (Top)