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...
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