The resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala and it is included in the country's coat of arms for it symbolizes liberty. Likewise the
Guatemala flag had also the quetzal included in the coat of arms at the center of the flag on the white band and flanked by blue of equal width on both sides.
The two sky blue color suggests the location of the country being in-between the Pacific and Caribbean Ocean and the sky, while white is for peace and purity. Aside from the quetzal, the coat of arms include a parchment scroll that bears the date of independence from Spain; crossed rifles that indicates Guatemala's defense; a bay laurel crown, its symbol for victory; and crossed swords that represents honor.
Guatemala or the land of trees, is densely forested and mountainous with the Sierra Madre on the south Pacific coast, descends to heavily vegetated northern lowlands including the narrow Caribbean coast. Most of Guatemalans live on the highlands where the climate is temperate compared to the lowlands where the weather is tropical.
A millennium ago the Mayan civilization flourished as could be seen from the remnants of the culture already sophisticated by any standards. Most citizens are descendants of the Maya-Spanish ancestry called the Ladinos that speak Spanish and are attuned to the western culture. While a minority indigenous Maya folks are poor subsistence farmers that live on the western highlands. Guatemalan society is divided between the highly urbanized Ladino community, the upper class and the Maya lower class.
Thus the cause of the 36year war between the guerillas and government forces that cost 200,000 lives had been the inequality experienced by the poor minority.
by:
The Flagman
