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Direct Travel Insurance
Guatemala flag Guatemala
Guatemala
Quick Facts
Region:
Central and South America
Full Name:
Republic of Guatemala
Capital City:
Guatemala
Language Spoken:
Spanish 60%,
Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages,
including Quiche,
Cakchiquel,
Kekchi,
Mam,
Garifuna,
and Xinca)
Personnel risk: MODERATE
Evacuation risk: LOW
The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.