| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | GTISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | GTMISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | Guatemala CityGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | North AmericaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | GuatemalaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Republic of GuatemalaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | GuatemalaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | the Spanish conquistadors' first capital (established in 1524) was a former Mayan settlement called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of the eagle" but that the Spanish probably pronounced "Guatemala"CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Presidential republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 15 September 1821 (from Spain)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day, 15 September (1821)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | Cesar Bernardo AREVALO de Leon (Pres.)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | GTQISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | QuetzalISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 22ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | Alta Verapaz / Baja Verapaz / Chimaltenango / Chiquimula / El Progreso / Escuintla / Guatemala / Huehuetenango / Izabal / Jalapa / Jutiapa / Petén / Quetzaltenango / Quiché / Retalhuleu / Sacatepéquez / San Marcos / Santa Rosa / Sololá / Suchitepéquez / Totonicapán / ZacapaISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | quetzal (bird)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala); lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE; history: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem and it was not discovered until 1911; anthem has four verses with four separate choruses at the end of each verse -- all are official, and the anthem is sung in its entirety when performed in GuatemalaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | blue, whiteCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: yes; citizenship by descent only: yes; dual citizenship recognized: yes; residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a yearCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
the Spanish conquistadors' first capital (established in 1524) was a former Mayan settlement called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of the eagle" but that the Spanish probably pronounced "Guatemala"
description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (left side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green-and-red quetzal (the national bird), a scroll with the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain), a pair of crossed rifles, and a pair of crossed swords; a laurel wreath frames the objects meaning: the rifles stand for Guatemala's willingness to defend itself, the swords for honor, and the laurel wreath for victory; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, and white for peace and purity
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
