Guatemala

American  

[gwah-tuh-mah-luh, gwah-te-mah-lah] / ˌgwɑ təˈmɑ lə, ˌgwɑ tɛˈmɑ lɑ /

noun

1. a republic in northern Central America. 42,042 sq. mi (108,889 sq km).

2. Also called Guatemala City.  a city in and the capital of the republic of Guatemala.

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Guatemala British  

/ ˌɡwɑːtəˈmɑːlə /

noun

1. a republic in Central America: original Maya Indians conquered by the Spanish in 1523; became the centre of Spanish administration in Central America; gained independence and was annexed to Mexico in 1821, becoming an independent republic in 1839. Official language: Spanish. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: quetzal and US dollar. Capital: Guatemala City. Pop: 14 373 472 (2013 est). Area: 108 889 sq km (42 042 sq miles)

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Guatemala Cultural  

1. Republic in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the west and north, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Its capital and largest city is Guatemala City.

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Discover More

It is traditionally unstable politically.

The country is noted for its particularly low average income and literacy rate.

Other Word Forms

• Guatemalan adjective

Compare meaning

How does guatemala compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Guatemala vs. Nicaragua

Example Sentences

“I think it’s a strength. It’s not a liability,” said Mazariegos, who was born in Guatemala and grew up in Hollywood and South L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

Suriname could have joined that group back in November, but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Guatemala.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Fernanda, a Florida restaurant worker, made an agonizing decision after the father of her children was arrested and deported: She would send their toddler son and 4-year-old daughter to Guatemala to live with him.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

It then promptly deported the refugee to Mexico, which in turn sent him to Guatemala.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

This time, freight cars have brought him 990 miles from Tapachula near Guatemala.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario