Guatemala is the most populous Central American country, with the colonial city of Antigua, the indigenous Maya highlands, and the great Mayan ruins of Tikal rising above the Petén jungle.
Geography & landscape
Guatemala sits in Central America, in the northern hemisphere of North America. With an area of approximately 108,889 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Guatemala City, lies near coordinates 15.5°, -90.25°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of North America, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Central America region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Guatemala.
People & society
The population of Guatemala is around 18M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Spanish, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Guatemala is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Guatemala City, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Guatemala is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Guatemala City and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Guatemala shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Guatemala through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Guatemala City, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +502, and clocks are set to the CST (UTC-6) time zone. ISO standards identify Guatemala as GT (alpha-2) and GTM (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇬🇹, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Guatemala City | — |
| Continent | North America | — |
| Sub-region | Central America | — |
| Population | 18M | people |
| Area | 108,889 | km² |
| Currency | Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) | — |
| Calling code | +502 | international dialling |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | GT | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | GTM | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 15.5 | degrees |
| Longitude | -90.25 | degrees |
Did you know?
Guatemala has a higher proportion of indigenous Maya population than any other Central American country — roughly 40%.
