Guatemala

1. Guatemala David Best Period 4 35151

2. Flag and Map of Guatemala

3. How to dress for business • For business, a lightweight suit is appropriate for men. • Women should wear a dress or skirt and blouse. • Military clothing cant be worn nor brought into the country. • Guatemalans wave good-bye using a gesture that looks like someone fanning themselves. • The "fig" gesture and the "O.K." sign are both considered obscene. • Male guests sit to the right of the host; women to the left. • Shaking hands and saying "mucho gusto" is very proper. • Address a person directly by using his or her title only.

4. Languages • The number of individual languages listed for Guatemala is 56. • Of those, 54 are living languages and 2 have no known speakers. • Aquatic, Awakateko, Ch'orti‘, Garifuna, Itza‘, Q'eqchi‘, Sakapulteko are others • Most of the languages in Guatemala are of Mayan descent • Spanish, Quiche, Cakchiquel, Mam, Tzutujil are all very popular • Amerindians speak some 28 dialects in five main language groups • Spanish is the official language of Guatemala

5. Welcome topics of conversation • “How is your family doing?” • “What kind of music do you listen to?” • “What are your favorite TV shows?” • “What do you do in your spare time?” • What's your favorite food? • How old are your children? • What do you like best about your job? • What's your favorite board game or card game?

6. Over 50% of the nation's forests have been destroyed and consequent soil erosion • water supply is at risk due to industrial and agricultural toxins • Guatemala has 174 animal species • Endangered or extinct species- green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle and American crocodile. • The country contains the largest area of cloud forest in Central America • Total forest area: 3,938,000 ha

7. Political Situation • President of Guatemala is both head of state and head of government • The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature • The terms of office were reduced from 5 to 4 years • Supreme Court justices serve from five to six years • Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Congress of the Republic. • The president of Guatemala is Álvaro Colom • The vice-president of Guatemala is Jose Raphael Espada • Guatemala's interests are in regional security and economic integration.

8. Government Laws and Regulations • An exit tax must be paid when departing Guatemala by air • Minors don't need permission from parents to enter/leave Guatemala. • Avoid close contact with children, including taking photographs • If someone is guilty of perjury or burglary, they are jailed. • Since crime is high in Guatemala, road blockades are common • An additional airport security fee of $2.50 must be paid at the airport. • For illegal transactions, consequences result in forfeitures and/or fines • Many drivers do not use their turn signals to alert other drivers.

9. Import Requirements • Meat and milk products and (wild flora and fauna) are prohibited • Also prohibited are drugs, medications and pornography • Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised • There are no restrictions on perfume in Guatemala • For tobacco, 80 cigarettes or 3 1/2 ounces of tobacco • You can only bring two bottles of alcohol into the country • Ammunizations are also restricted

10. Interesting facts • Guatemala means ‘Land of the Trees’ in the Maya-Toltec language. • The currency in Guatemala is Quetzal. • Guatemala has 14 eco regions, which range from Mangrove forests to the ocean littorals. • Ranked 1 among the 10 poorest countries in Latin America • Coffee, bananas and sugar are the main products of the land. • Contains largest collection of UNESCO heritage sites in Latin America • There is of course modern legend that Mayan babies don’t cry • Guatemala is the largest and most populous Latin America country

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