Changes

==People==

==People==

More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples. Westernized Mayans and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Mayan religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively. Though the official language is Spanish, it is not universally understood among the indigenous population. The peace accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages.  

More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous [[Mayan]] peoples. Westernized Mayans and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. The predominant religion is [[Roman Catholicism]], into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Mayan religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively. Though the official language is Spanish, it is not universally understood among the indigenous population. The peace accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages.  

*Population (2006 est.): 12.3 million.  

*Population (2006 est.): 12.3 million.  

*Annual population growth rate (2006 est.): 2.27%.  

*Annual population growth rate (2006 est.): 2.27%.  

*Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--41%. Literacy--70.6%.  

*Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--41%. Literacy--70.6%.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--36.9/1,000. Life expectancy--65.19 yrs.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--36.9/1,000. Life expectancy--65.19 yrs.  

*Work force salaried breakdown: Services--40%; industry and commerce--37%; agriculture--15%; construction, mining, utilities--4%. Fifty percent of the population engages in some form of agriculture, often at the subsistence level outside the monetized economy.  

*Work force salaried breakdown: Services--40%; industry and commerce--37%; agriculture--15%; construction, mining, utilities--4%. Fifty percent of the population engages in some form of agriculture, often at the subsistence level outside the monetized economy.

==Government==

==Government==