Area: 91,136 sq. mi
Population: 14,300,000
Ethnic groups:Mestizo (mixed Spanish-Indian) 55%, Amerindian 43%Languages: Spanish, 24 indigenous languages (principally Kiche, Kaqchikel, Q'eqchi, and Mam)
80% of the population is poor.

Life expectancy: Men 64 yrs., Women 66 yrs.

Guatemala has 2 seasons, the dry season (from mid August thru April) and the wet season (from May to mid August).

The old Mayan Indian empire flourished in Guatemala for over 1000 years before arrival of the Spanish and today more than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples.
In 1524 Guatamala became a Spanish colony for nearly 300 years,until 1821. It then became a part of Mexico for a short time, after which it was part of the federation of United Providences of Central America. She became her own republic in 1939. Guatemala has had her share of political unrest and a variety of military and civilian govornments have been punctuated with various violent episodes. Over the years 200,000 people have been killed or disappeared and are presumed dead.

For more information about the Guatemala, the State Department web site has good information to help you start your search.

The need for dental care is huge.

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