The demographics of Guatemala are diverse, constituting primarily of Mestizos, Amerindians and Europeans. About 60% of the population speak Spanish, with nearly all of the rest speaking Amerindian languages. According to the CIA World Fact Book, Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish – in local Spanish called Ladino) and European made 59.4% of the population (Approximately the 55% are Mestizos and 1% are white population of European origin), and K’iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q’eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1%. Therefore, 40% of the population is Amerindian. The 1893 Guatemalan Census reported that 481,945 persons —or 35.3% of the population— were Ladinos (includes both whites and mixed-race persons), and 882,733 persons —or 64.7% of the population— were Indios (Natives). Though the official language is Spanish, it is often the second language among the indigenous population. However, the Peace Accords signed in December 1996 provide for the translation of some official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages (see summary of main substantive accords). Racial stratification is complex and fluid in Guatemalan politics, culture and identity. Guatemala City, the largest city in Central America, is home to over 3 million inhabitants. Other racial groups include small numbers of Afro-Guatemalans and Garifuna of mixed African and indigenous Caribbean origins who live in the country’s Eastern end. Asians, mostly of Chinese descent are descendants of farm workers and railroad laborers in the early 20th century. In 1900, Guatemala had a population of just 885,000. Over the course of the twentieth century, the population of the country grew by a factor of fourteen. No other western hemisphere country saw such rapid growth.
