Guatemala Colorful, Warm, Lush, and Term Paper

Since the nation gained independence from Spain it has been ruled by a chain of military dictatorships ("Guatemalan Culture and History"). Guatemala has also run into some territorial disputes with neighboring nations like Belize and in fact land disputes with Belize continue today.

More recent political strife included a civil war that lasted 36 years and which took the lives of over 200,000 people ("Country profile: Guatemala"). In the wake of that war, Guatemala has been unable to successfully overcome its social and economic inequities. Corruption endemic in the government impedes the development of effective economic and social programs. Fortunately, freedom of the press is "enshrined in Guatemala's constitution and newspapers freely criticize the government," ("Country profile: Guatemala"). Therefore, in spite of the high literacy rates throughout the country, Guatemalans remain relatively well-informed about the issues affecting their lives and the lives of their compatriots. The main public university, University of San Carlos of Guatemala, offers universal tuition for residents but its facilities are weak due to under funding and political problems ("Guatemalan Culture and History").Guatemalans who can afford it attend private institutions or study abroad. Modern urban Guatemalan youth culture and nightlife resembles that in most other nations in the world with bars and nightclubs as the norm, but rural areas retain an ambiance of more traditional and simpler living. Guatemalan culture in general reflects the nation's diversity and is generally a synthesis of indigenous and European traditions, arts, religions, and languages.

Works Cited

Country profile: Guatemala." BBC. 12 July 2006. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1215758.stm

Guatemala." The CIA World Factbook. Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 from https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/gt.html

Guatemalan Culture And History: A Brief Survey." Retrieved Aug 5, 2006 at http://www.geocities.com/blancaveliz/GuatCulture.htm

Works Cited

Country profile: Guatemala." BBC. 12 July 2006. Retrieved Aug 4, 2006 at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/country_profiles/1215758.stm.....