fwo_1021780 - REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA 4 Reales 1861 Guatemala city

REPUBLIC OF GUATEMALA

(since 1839)

The territory of Guatemala belonged to the Mayas until the 16th century and was conquered by Pedro de Alvarado in 1524. Until 1821, the territory was part of the Spanish Empire. In 1821, Guatemala proclaimed its independence and entered the Mexican Empire of Iturbide and then the Confederation of the United States of Central America until 1838. Until 1944, the country was stable and lived under the government of four successive dictatorships. Subsequently, the influence of American companies, the necessary agrarian reform and political struggles made the country unstable and led to civil war. Since 1984, elections have allowed for a certain reorganization of the country, even if military coups and reprisals by "death squads" claim many victims. Guatemala's economy is geared towards the production of coffee, cotton, sugar cane, bananas and tourism..