In the indigenous Náhualt language, Guatemala means land of many trees. Today, the country retains its predominantly rural character, occupying most of its 108,888 km2 . Located in Central America, it borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, and its coasts are washed by the Caribbean Sea in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west. Known as the cradle of Mayan culture, 43% of the population self-identifies as indigenous, belonging to the Mayan, Xinca and Garifuna peoples. Although it should be noted that this percentage, based on self-identification, could be questioned considering that discriminatory policies caused many indigenous people to assimilate as "ladinos". Despite being considered the largest economy in Central America, poverty and inequality rates are among the highest in the region and particularly affect the rural and indigenous majority.
