CULTURE

Approximately 4 million inhabitants belong to one of 21 ethnolinguistic Mayan groups who have retained their cultural traditions. More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Mayan peoples. Westernized Mayans and mestizos (mixed European and indigenous ancestry) are known as Ladinos. The Caribbean coastal population has retained its Afrocaribbean roots. Most of Guatemala's population is rural, though urbanization is accelerating.

The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, into which many indigenous Guatemalans have incorporated traditional forms of worship. Protestantism and traditional Mayan religions are practiced by an estimated 40% and 1% of the population, respectively.