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Guatemala has approximately 13 million inhabitants. The western and northwestern highlands have the highest population density, while the lowlands of the Peten department are only sparsely populated. |
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| Just over 60 percent of Guatemala's population are of mixed Amerindian-Spanish descent. The remaining 40 percent belong to one of 23 Mayan ethnic groups, making Guatemala one of the countries with the largest indigenous populations in Latin America. |
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Traditional Mayan dress is still worn in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas. |
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| The patterns and colors of typical Mayan blouses and skirts vary from region to region and often from town to town. |
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On holidays and special occasions dress is particularly colorful and often includes distinctive headdress. |
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| Traditional Mayan dress is not as prevalent among men as among women, and it is often combined with western-style hats or shirts. |
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On the day of the Virgin of Guadelupe, celebrated on December 12, children all over the country dress like their ancestors. In parts of the highlands, kids still dress like this every day — minus the moustache. |
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| Most typical Mayan fabrics are hand-woven and sold in the local markets or in the streets. |
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Drums, flutes and marimbas are the most important traditional Mayan musical instruments. |
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| The town of Livingston on Guatemala's Caribbean coast is home to the country's only Garifuna community. Their distinct customs, music and food give Livingston a unique ambiance that can't be found in other Guatemalan towns. |
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