Guatemala, a Central American country south of Mexico, is home to volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. The capital, Guatemala City, features the stately National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. West of the capital is Antigua, which contains preserved Spanish colonial buildings. Lake Atitlán formed in a massive volcanic crater and is surrounded by coffee fields and villages. With an estimated population of around 15.8 million, it is the most populous state in Central America.
The United Nations negotiated a peace accord following the civil war between 1960 to 1996. Guatemala has since witnessed both economic growth and successful democratic elections, though it continues to struggle with high rates of poverty, crime, drug trade, and instability.