Guatemala Research Paper

Guatemala is home to Maya civilians. Maya communities are decedents from the great Mayan Empire that ruled before the Spanish conquest. Colonization began a period of oppression and marginalization for Mayas. Being “Indian” has been viewed as negative identity since colonization due to oppression of the culture and negative implications caused by the Spanish conquerors. Mayas since decreased significantly in numbers but still make up 60% of the population in Guatemala.

When I went to Guatemala the culture there was very colorful. I realized the people there don’t speak english. Their first language was spanish. Which was fine to me, since I know how to speak spanish. My

Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America, is a textbook example of a country firmly in stage 2 of the demographic transition model. A country steeped in rich culture, Guatemala still has a sizeable population of Mayans, the ethnic group that populated the geographical region pre-colonization. This minority is often the victim of marginalization, much like the Native Americans of the United States. This, combined with the pressures of a rapidly increasing population, create many complicated issues for the country to deal with as its next generation comes of age.

Guatemala is located in Central America and it is bordered by Mexico towards the North and West. The population of Guatemala is very diverse, over 15 million people consist mainly of Mestizos, Amerindians, and Europeans. Approximately 182 live births average per day. (49.201 An hour) Guatemala means “land of forests”. The culture of Guatemala reflects strongly upon Mayan and Spanish influences and continues to be defined as a contrast between villagers and high landers. Much of the customs in Guatemala are widely

     Guatemala’s culture is a unique product of Native American ways and a strong Spanish colonial heritage. About half of Guatemala’s population is mestizo (known in Guatemala as ladino), people of mixed European and indigenous ancestry. Ladino culture is dominant in urban areas, and is heavily influenced by European and North American trends. Unlike many Latin American countries, Guatemala still has a large indigenous population, the Maya, which has retained a distinct identity. Deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala, many indigenous people speak a Mayan language, follow traditional religious and village customs, and continue a rich tradition in textiles and other crafts. The two cultures

Guatemala is divided into 22 departments. Guatemala 's capital is the largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción, and is known as Guatemala City. Guatemala City, locally known as Guatemala or Guate, is the capital and largest city of Republic of Guatemala, and the most popular in Centro America. The city is located in the south–central part of the country. Pedro Alvarado was the Spanish man who conquered what is now Guatemala by defeating the native Mayan people and making it a Spanish colony. Guatemala joins the United Provinces of Central America. In the territory of modern Guatemala was formed the core of the Mayan civilization, in which was extended across Mesoamerica. Guatemala was conquered by the Spanish Pedro de Alvarado in the 16th century, and becoming a part of the viceroyalty of New Spain. Guatemala was conquered independence in 1821 as part of the Federal Republic of Central America.

Guatemala has more people than any other Central American country, with an estimated population of 11,980,000 it is home to many different cultures. The population can be divided into two groups; Indians and people of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry. But in Guatemala, being called an Indian or a non-Indian does not depend entirely on a person 's ancestry. It is basically a matter of how people live and of how they categorize themselves. For example, a Guatemalan is considered an Indian if he or she speaks an Indian language, wears Indian clothing, and lives in a community where the people follow the Indian ways of life. The Indians think of themselves more as part of their community than of their country. They pay little attention to

Once they arrived at Mexico the place was way different from Guatemala, it was extremely bright, away hot and there was sand everywhere. In Mexico, the music was different the music then Guatemala. Rosa

The climate is much different in Guatemala. While they have a dry season and it will not rain from October till at least a couple months after February, we have a lot of our rain during these months. In my city we all have electricity and our houses are all wired with a surplus of sockets and individual switches; while in Cesar’s village the countryside is just recently receiving electricity, and their homes only have two sockets and one switch that turns them on and off at the same time. Our Easter celebrations are similar, we both decorate eggs and dress up; but while they dance and set off firecrackers; we have scavenger hunts, go to church, and have a fancy dinner. We both have similar goals to improve our city and to succeed in school.

In Guatemala, whose population is 60% indigenous, schools teach that the Spanish colonialists, when they arrived in Mayan territory, found the native peoples ‘naked and soulless.’ And it was only thanks to the civilizing force of these white men that led to the current way of dress of the Mayan people. Yet, the Mayan textiles reproduced and worn today date back to around 1000 B.C.E., and as before, the textiles continue being the fabric of Mayan cosmology. This rhetoric embodies Guatemala’s colonial past and present, where racism, discrimination, and systematic erasure abound. As indigenous women are the rightful creators and artists, the state in particular oppresses and hinders their knowledge and livelihoods. These women, to counteract this

No where on Earth does another country hold the tropical climate and beauty identical to that of Guatemala. Located on Mexico’s Southern border, “Guatemala is a scenic landscape of smoldering volcanoes and swirling mists, where the tropical hues of nature compliment the rainbow colors of traditional dress.” (Sheehan, 1) Guatemala is truly a wonder to behold with it’s stunning geographic features, tropical climate and weather Patterns, agricultural economy, colorful culture and history, and another multitude of interesting features.

Guatemala is the land of Eternal Springs and the home of the richly cultured and

The mere mention of Guatemala is enough to get most people’s imaginations in full flight. Home to a beguiling ancient culture, Guatemala has still managed to retain a strong Mayan identity despite colonization by the Spaniards in 1524. The home of a highly sophisticated civilization that was adept in astronomy, architecture and weaving, modern-day Guatemala seamlessly fuses the ancient with the modern while still remaining completely authentic. Snorkel in the sapphire-tinted waters of the Caribbean, take in the breathtaking sights of a Mayan handicrafts market and then head into the steamy inland jungles and explore one of the plethora of ancient temples that lie dotted around the country.

This is a diagram of a typical Mayan village. The Mayans built their cities out of limestone, because it was light and strong. In the center of the village there was a ceremonial center and temples, these were in plazas which were surrounded by public buildings, palaces and ball courts. The rulers and priests lived in the heart of the town. Just outside of the city center lived the upper-class and middle class citizens. The peasants lived on the edge of the city in huts. Causeways ran throughout the city and were always raised 2-4 feet above the ground. These villages were found throughout the Mayan area, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras.

Belize is a very unique and different country. There is a wide verity of year round activities that the people of Belize, as well as the tourists enjoy. Pop culture is celebrated in a wide variety of ways.