, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. PLANTY
embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
mailing address: APO AA 34024

Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist
side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the
white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the
national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE
SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain)
all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed
swords and framed by a wreath

Economy

Economy--overview: The agricultural sector accounts for one-fourth
of GDP and two-thirds of exports and employs more than half of the
labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products.
Manufacturing and construction account for one-fifth of GDP. Since
assuming office in January 1996, President ARZU has worked to
implement a program of economic liberalization and political
modernization. The signing of the peace accords in December 1996,
which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to
foreign investment. In 1998, Hurricane Mitch caused relatively
little damage to Guatemala compared to its neighbors. Nevertheless,
growth will be somewhat smaller due to the storm. Remaining
challenges include increasing government revenues, and negotiating a
program with the IMF.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$45.7 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 5% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,800 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 21%
services: 55% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.6%
highest 10%: 46.6% (1989)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.4% (1998)

Labor force: 3.32 million (1997 est.)

Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 58%, services 14%,
manufacturing 14%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 2.6%,
utilities 0.3%, mining 0.1% (1995)

Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1997 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA

Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals,
petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Industrial production growth ra