Guatemala

Guatemala - Is officially known as the Republic of Guatemala. Guatemala is a North American country located in Central America sharing borders with Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea (by way of the Gulf of Honduras). Mayan civilizations flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict. Guatemala has been stable since 1996 and has been in a state of continuous development and economic growth. Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a Gross Domestic Product per capita roughly one-half that of Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-tenth of Gross Domestic Product, two-fifths of exports, and half of the labor force.
The first evidence of human settlers in Guatemala goes back to at least 12,000 BC. There is some evidence that may put this date as early as 18,000 BC, such as obsidian arrow heads found in various parts of the country.