Guatemala

Official name: Republic of Guatemala
Also known as: República de Guatemala (Spanish)

Guatemala Map OutlineCapital: Guatemala City
Total Area: 108,889 km² (42,042 mi²)
Approximate population: 18,255,216
Location: Central America
Languages: Spanish, Mayan
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant
Currency: Quetzal (GTQ)
Organizations: United Nations
Border countries (4): Belize 266 km, El Salvador 199 km, Honduras 244 km, Mexico 958 km.
Coastline: 400 km (250 mi).
Maritime boundaries: Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean

Administrative divisions 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento):
Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Cities and towns

  • Guatemala City — Capital and largest city with many amenities
  • Antigua Guatemala — Colonial Spanish capital of Central America, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the most popular among tourists. Antigua Guatemala was the cultural, economic, religious, political and educational centre for the entire region until the capital was moved. In the space of under three centuries the city acquired a number of superb monuments.
  • Flores — Island capital of Petén, good starting point to access Mayan ruins of Tikal.
  • Melchor de Mencos — Border town which is the main crossing point to Belize
  • Panajachel — Gateway to Lake Atitlán, a beautiful and busy tourist area
  • Puerto Barrios — Caribbean seaport with speedboats to and from Belize
  • Puerto San José — Pacific seaport
  • Quetzaltenango — Second largest city, in the western highlands. Commonly called "Xela".
  • Sayaxché — River gateway in Petén

Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower.