| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Guatemala City,Antigua Guatemala, andQuetzaltenango | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish andFrench | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism andProtestantism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| French people, otherGuatemalans |
| Part ofa series of articles on the |
| French people |
|---|
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Africa Asia Middle East Europe
North America South America Oceania 1Overseas parts of France properMigration of minorities inFrance (i.e.Basques) can be considered as separate (ethnically) or French migration (by nationality). |
AFrench Guatemalan is a citizen of Guatemala who has French ancestry. Guatemalans of French descent make up the third largest European-descended group in Guatemala, after theGerman Guatemalans andSpanish Guatemalans. According to the French embassy, as of 31 December 2010, there are 803 French citizens inGuatemala.[1]
The history of the French in Guatemala is divided into three periods of migratory waves.
After theFrench Revolution, capitalists and entrepreneurs came to create coffee plantations in several countries ofthe Americas; inGuatemala, the first of these were situated in the department ofSan Marcos in the southernhighlands.[2]
The French Revolution introduced new political concepts and aims which formed the basis for the platforms of the liberal, radical and democratic parties of most of the world and therefore of Guatemala. These ideas had great influence on revolutionary movements on Hispanic America.[3]
French veterans of theNapoleonic Wars and theSpanish American wars of independence (such as Nicolas Raoul, Isidoro Saget, and Henri Terralonge) offered their services during the independence wars.[4] Initial diplomatic contact between France and Central America began in 1827; full diplomatic relations were established in 1830. This led to the arrival of French merchants, professionals, and tradesmen. Many of them married local women, which led to an increase in the number of Guatemalan people of French descent.[4] Later some French politicians moved toGuatemala City during the wars betweenliberals andconservatives. When theFederal Republic of Central America was divided, some French migrated toCosta Rica andNicaragua although the majority remained in Guatemala.
It is estimated that by 1900 there were approximately 8,000 French immigrants inMesoamerica, three fourths of them inMexico and nearly a fifth inGuatemala.[5] The presidency of GeneralJosé María Reina Barrios, who was educated inParis, began a revival of diplomatic relations betweenFrance andCentral America. In 1920, after the triumph of the Unionist movement, several Guatemalan families of French origin came together to found a branch theAlliance Francaise inGuatemala City.[4]
Many Guatemalans of French descent still preserve theFrench language and customs and traditions ofFrance. A large majority belong to theCatholic religion, though there areProtestant,Jewish andMuslim minorities. Over 800 French people are estimated to live inGuatemala, making it the third largest French community inCentral America, behindPanama andCosta Rica.
TheAlliance Française and theLycée Français Jules Verne are dedicated to the promotion ofFrench culture andFrancophonie inGuatemala in its various expressions: performing arts (music, theater, dance), visual arts (exhibitions, performances, film), lectures, discussions (literature, debates) and training (workshops, residences).[7]
The French Embassy in Guatemala is responsible for maintaining both cultural and diplomatic relations betweenFrance andGuatemala. It provides grants and scholarships for study in France. The current French ambassador toGuatemala is Philippe Franc.[8]
There are several associations:[9]
Lycée Français Jules Verne, a French international school, is located inFraijanes,Guatemala.[10]
Ancestral background ofGuatemalan citizens | |
| Guatemalan native groups (Maya and others) | |
| Former and extinct | |
| Guatemalan mestizo | |
| Descendants of Europeans (white orCriollo) | |
| Descendants of Asians | |
| Afro-descendants | |
| Americas | |
