33 Facts About Guatemala

Guatemala is a Central American country located south of Mexico and bordered by Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico.

Its capital and largest city is Guatemala City, which is the political, cultural, and economic center of the country.

Guatemala is known for its volcanoes, rainforests, and ancient Mayan archaeological sites.

Antigua, west of the capital, preserves well-maintained Spanish colonial architecture and was the former capital until it was destroyed by earthquakes in 1773.

Lake Atitlán lies in a volcanic crater and is surrounded by coffee plantations and indigenous villages.

The name “Guatemala” is believed to come from a Nahuatl word meaning “land of many trees.”

Spanish is the official language, but more than 20 Mayan languages are still spoken, along with several non-Mayan Indigenous languages.

Guatemala has more than 30 volcanoes, of which several are active.

Volcán Tajumulco is the highest mountain in Central America at about 4,222 meters.

Volcán de Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America and erupts frequently.

Pacaya is another active volcano whose eruptions are often visible from Guatemala City.

Santiaguito has been erupting almost continuously since the early 20th century.

Guatemala’s national bird is the resplendent quetzal, which is also the name of the national currency.

The national flower is the white nun orchid (Monja Blanca).

Guatemala is considered one of the world’s megadiverse countries due to its rich plant and animal life and high number of endemic species.

The country contains rainforests, cloud forests, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems.

The ancient Mayan civilization flourished in what is now Guatemala, leaving behind major ruins such as Tikal, El Mirador, and Quiriguá.

Tikal was once one of the largest cities in the ancient Maya world.

Guatemala is sometimes called the “Land of Eternal Spring” because of its mild climate in the highlands.

The country covers about 108,889 square kilometers, making it a mid-sized nation by global standards.

Guatemala was ruled by Spain for nearly three centuries before becoming independent in the 19th century.

Antigua served as the capital until earthquakes forced the government to relocate to Guatemala City.

Guatemala has one of the largest Indigenous populations in the Americas.

Traditional clothing, especially among Maya communities, varies by region and often identifies the wearer’s hometown.

Coffee is one of Guatemala’s most important agricultural exports.

Jade has been valued in Guatemala since ancient Maya times and is still mined and carved today.

Traditional Guatemalan breakfasts often include eggs, tortillas, beans, cheese, and spicy sauces.

The country uses the internet domain “.gt”.

Guatemala’s economy includes agriculture, textiles, mining, and tourism.

Poverty remains a major challenge, especially in rural and Indigenous areas.

Textiles woven by hand using backstrap looms are a key part of Guatemalan cultural heritage.

The quetzal bird was sacred to the ancient Maya and symbolizes freedom because it cannot live in captivity.

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions have strongly shaped Guatemala’s history and settlement patterns.