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Guatemala |
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Antigua & Jocotenango Introduction to Guatemala
Guatemala is situated at the northern end of Central America bordered by Mexico to the North and West, Belize to the Northeast and Honduras and El Salvador to the South and East. It's current population is approximately 13.5 million. It has fertile lowlands, vast forests and some awesome mountains and volcanoes. It also has some of the most incredible examples of early civilization such as the Mayan temples of Tikal. As in any country there is a mixture of ethnic types. Predominantly, Guatemala has two major groups. The ruling dominant people are Hispanic, descended from the colonial Spanish. The Indigenous people are a mixture of Indian (Mayan, Quiche, etc). The indigenous people occupy the poorer land and have almost no positions of power or influence. They are largely uneducated and poor and attempt to maintain their traditions and beliefs.
Antigua is the former capital of Guatemala and is approximately 45 minutes from Guatemala City. It is situated between the cones of Agua, Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes. It is a busy town filled with many cafes, bars and restaurants for all of the locals and foreigners visiting the area. Antigua has a large amount of Spanish schools and is very popular with foreigners for learning Spanish, doing voluntary work and as a stop off point for backpackers travelling throughout Central America.
Jocotenango is large village about 5 minutes from Antigua with a population of over 30,000. It is a busy and bustling village with more of a traditional and local feel to it than Antigua.
Social & PoliticalGuatemalans have suffered greatly in the past. During the eighties and early nineties Guatemala had a civil war and at least 200,000 people were brutally murdered. Guatemala’s civil war finally ended in 1996 with the signing of the peace accords. In January 2003, a new right wing conservative government was elected in Guatemala defeating both the socialist and military dominated parties. Although their main policies are designed to boost the economy and attract international trade instead of promoting social and welfare programmes, the improvement in conditions which began in 1996 after the long civil war has continued.
Some Shocking Statistics
EducationEducation in Guatemala is not free and for many Guatemalans it is an impossible cost. In public Guatemalan schools, the costs include inscription fees, cost of buying and making uniforms, text books and academic materials. |
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