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Central America · North America

Guatemala

Guatemala
Capital
Guatemala City
Population
17.6M
Area
108,889 km²
Language
Spanish

Guatemala is a country in Central America, North America. Its capital is Guatemala City, with a population of approximately 17.6M and a total area of 108,889 km². The official language is Spanish and the currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ).

📊 Quick Facts about Guatemala

👥
Population
17.6M
total residents
📐
Total Area
108,889 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
162/km²
people per km²
💰
GDP (nominal)
$92.7B
total output
💵
GDP per Capita
$5,267
per person
💱
Currency
Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ)
legal tender
🗣️
Language(s)
Spanish
official
🌊
Coastline
400 km
total shore
🕐
Timezone
UTC-6
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1821
established
🕐
Local Time in Guatemala City

Guatemala covers an area of 108,889 km² with a population density of 162/km² people per km². The country has a GDP of $92.7B ($5,267 per capita) and gained independence in 1821. It has a coastline of 400 km.

Did You Know?

Guatemala was the heart of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal was one of the largest cities on Earth in 900 AD, with 100,000 inhabitants. The country has 37 volcanoes, three of which are currently active.

See all 14+ facts about Guatemala

✈️ Travel Information for Guatemala

📅
Best Time to Visit
November–April
Tropical coast, temperate highlands
💸
Cost of Travel
Budget
vs global average
🛂
Visa
Visa-free for most Western nationalities
entry requirements

⚠️ Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before travel.

Full Guatemala travel guide: visa, costs, plug, safety →

📍 Guatemala on the Map

🌍
📍 Guatemala City, Guatemala
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🏆 Guatemala World Rankings

1st
Maya Civilization
Heart of the ancient Maya civilization, Tikal was its greatest city
1st
Jade
World's only known source of Olmec-quality Imperial jade
1st
Volcanoes
37 volcanoes, including Santiaguito, one of the most active
1st
Coffee
Produces some of the world's finest arabica coffee

🏛 Must-See Places in Guatemala

🗺️ Countries Bordering Guatemala

Mexico
Mexico
Mexico City
Belize
Belize
Belmopan
Honduras
Honduras
Tegucigalpa
El Salvador
El Salvador
San Salvador

⚖️ Compare Guatemala with another country

See how Guatemala stacks up against its neighbours and peers. Each comparison shows population, area, GDP, language, currency and more, side by side.

GuatemalavsMexico
Guatemala vs Mexico
GuatemalavsBelize
Guatemala vs Belize
GuatemalavsHonduras
Guatemala vs Honduras
GuatemalavsEl Salvador
Guatemala vs El Salvador
Or compare any two countries →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Guatemala

What is the capital of Guatemala?

The capital of Guatemala is Guatemala City.

What continent is Guatemala in?

Guatemala is located in North America, in the Central America region.

What currency does Guatemala use?

Guatemala uses the Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ). The international calling code is +502.

What is the GDP of Guatemala?

Guatemala has a GDP of $92.7B, with a GDP per capita of $5,267.

🌍 Explore More Countries in Central America

Belize
Belize
Belmopan
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
San José
El Salvador
El Salvador
San Salvador
Honduras
Honduras
Tegucigalpa

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