Guatemala
History
As a country, Guatemala dates back to 1821, when it gained independence from Spain. Guatemala’s recent history up until the mid-1990s, like much of Central America, has been filled with turmoil that has taken a terrible toll on the country, especially the indigenous people. But in the last decade or so, the country has begun to emerge from its tragic past.
Of course, the history of the civilization in the area begins well before the 1800s. The vast Mayan civilization flourished throughout the region before the arrival of the Spanish. The Mayans built major cities and ceremonial centers at Chichen-Itza, Palenque, Tulum, and the ancient complex of Tikal. Estimates of Tikal’s population range as high as 200,000 people; parts of Guatemala were more densely populated during the height of the Mayan civilization than they are today.
