People and colors of Guatemala

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The demographics of Guatemala are diverse, constituting primarily of Mestizos, Amerindians and Europeans. About 60% of the population speak Spanish, with nearly all of the rest speaking Amerindian languages.Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, once the main faith of the population, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Maya religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively.

TEXT FROM WIKIPEDIA, cba SOME RIGHTS RESERVED.

Published: 2012-04-13 11:00:00 UTC

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Local Shop in San Pedro de la Laguna

San Pedro La Laguna is a small town with a population of approximately 13,000 people which is nestled on the Western shore of Lake Atitlan.

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Streets of Todos Santos

The population of Todos Santos is predominantly indigenous, of Mayan descent, most of whom still speak the Mayan language of Mam. The town is one of few places in Guatemala where indigenous men still wear their traditional clothing, along with the women.

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Mother and Daughter in Xela

Quetzaltenango, commonly known by its indigenous name, Xelajú, or more commonly, Xela, is the second largest city of Guatemala. It has an estimated population of 169,703. The population is about 61% indigenous or Amerindian, 34% Mestizo or ladino, and 5% European.

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Streets of Antigua

Antigua had a peak population of some 60,000 in the 1770s; the bulk of the population moved away in the late 18th century. Despite significant population growth in the late 20th century, the city had only reached half that number by the 1990s.

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Local Restaurant Owner in Xela

In Pre-Columbian times Quetzaltenango was a city of the Mam Maya people called Xelajú, although by the time of the Spanish Conquest it had become part of the K'iche' Kingdom of Q'umarkaj.

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Veggie Seller in Xela

The name may be derived from "Xe laju' noj" meaning "under ten mountains". The city was said to have already been over 300 years old when the Spanish first arrived.

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Maya Ceremony in Xela

Many people, especially, but not only, the indigenous population, continue to call the city "Xelajú" or more commonly Xela for short, and some proudly, but unofficially, consider it the "capital of the Mayas".

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Streets of San Pedro de la Laguna

The inhabitants of San Pedro are primarily Tz'utujil Mayan with a small, but growing, expatriate community.

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Local Farmer in Todos Santos

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Streets of Antigua

According to the 2007 census, Antigua has some 34,685 inhabitants.