Guatemala
Land of the Maya, heart of Central America.
Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in northern Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, to the east by Honduras, and to the southeast by El Salvador. It is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Gulf of Honduras to the northeast. With an estimated population of around , Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America, the fourth most populous country in North America and the 11th most populous country in the Americas. Its capital and largest city, Guatemala City, is the second most populous city in Central America, and its metro area is the most populous in Central America.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Guatemala City
- Region
- Central America
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currency
- Guatemalan quetzal
- Official language
- Spanish (with 24 other recognized indigenous languages)
- Major historical civilization
- Maya
- Notable landmark type
- Ancient Pyramids and Colonial Architecture
Lore & Background
The territory of modern Guatemala hosted the core of the Maya civilization. In the 16th century, most of this was conquered by the Spanish and claimed as part of the viceroyalty of New Spain. Guatemala attained independence from Spain and Mexico in 1821. From 1823 to 1841, it was part of the Federal Republic of Central America. For the latter half of the 19th century, Guatemala suffered instability and civil strife. From the early 20th century, it was ruled by a series of dictators backed by the United States. In 1944, authoritarian leader Jorge Ubico was overthrown by a pro-democratic military coup, initiating a decade-long revolution that led to social and economic reforms. In 1954, a U.S.-backed military coup ended the revolution and installed a dictatorship. From 1960 to 1996, Guatemala endured a bloody civil war fought between the U.S.-backed government and leftist communist rebels backed by the USSR/Cuba, including genocidal massacres of the Maya population perpetrated by the Guatemalan military. The United Nations negotiated a peace accord, resulting in economic growth and successive democratic elections.
Reader's Guide
Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems includes many endemic species and contributes to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot. Although rich in export goods, around a quarter of the population (4.6 million) face food insecurity; other major issues include poverty, crime, corruption, drug trafficking, and civil instability.
Did You Know?
- The name 'Guatemala' comes from the Nahuatl word Cuauhtēmallān, meaning 'place of many trees'.
- The first evidence of human habitation in Guatemala dates to 12,000 BC, with obsidian arrowheads suggesting a presence as early as 18,000 BC.
- The Classic period of Maya civilization (250 to 900 AD) is represented by countless sites throughout Guatemala, with the largest concentration in Petén.
- The Spanish conquest of Guatemala began in the early 16th century, led by conquistador Pedro de Alvarado.
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