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.

---

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)

---

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.

---

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

See Examples For:

Guatemala

“With all of her family living in Guatemala, there is little local support available, and we are doing everything we can to provide for her daughter’s needs during this difficult time.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

Cyclospora is endemic in several parts of the world, including Mexico and Guatemala.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

Several nations, including Jamaica, Guatemala, the Bahamas and Honduras, have suspended or restructured their medical agreements with Cuba.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS News a week ago that targeted strikes could be deployed in Guatemala and Ecuador to target criminal gangs and drug trafficking.

From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026

But as the two spent hours traveling through Honduras and Guatemala together, they became friends.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario