Guatemala is the largest country in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast and the Pacific Ocean to the south. With an area of 109,000 square kilometers, Guatemala is slightly smaller than Tennessee. The population of Guatemala is estimated at 16 million people.
The name “Guatemala” comes from a native word meaning “land of trees”. The majority of Guatemalans are mestizos – mixed Amerindian-Spanish descent. There are also significant populations of Maya (Amerindian), Ladino (mixed Spanish-Maya) and Xinca (non-Maya indigenous) people in Guatemala.
Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, but it is also common to hear Maya languages such as Quiché spoken. English is also widely spoken in tourist areas and some business circles.
Guatemala has a rich culture steeped in Mayan tradition with influences from Spain and other parts of Central America. Guatemalan music includes marimba music, popular songs known as pasacalles and waltzes, as well as traditional Mayan music. Traditional dress often includes brightly colored fabric with intricate designs; women typically wear skirts while men wear pants. Guatemalan cuisine includes dishes such as pepián (a meat stew), tamales (cornmeal dumplings), frijoles negros (black beans)and plátanos fritos(fried plantains). Popular beverages include coffee, tea and chocolate drinks made with water or milk served hot or cold depending on the region. Atsembe is a type of corn beer that is sometimes consumed during religious ceremonies or special occasions