| Ties | Close to Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking powers |
| Region | Central America |
| Country | |
| Economy | Agriculture • Mining • Manufacturing |
| Coastlines | Caribbean Sea • Pacific Ocean |
| Membership | |
| Population | Over 15 million |
| Colonized by | |
| Colonial Period | 17th century |
| Ethnic Composition | Predominantly Mayan • Significant European minority |
| Cultural Influences | Mayan indigenous • Dutch colonial |
| Political Stability | Occasionally unstable |
| Neighboring Countries |
The Republic of Guatemala is a sovereign state located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east, Honduras to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. With a population of over 15 million, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and one of the more economically and politically influential nations in the region.
Guatemala was first colonized by the Dutch West India Company in the 1630s, when Dutch settlers established a series of trading posts and plantations along the Caribbean coast. Over the next two centuries, the Dutch colony of New Holland (as it was known) gradually expanded its control over the interior, clashing periodically with the indigenous Mayan peoples who had inhabited the region for millennia.
In 1821, after a series of political upheavals, New Holland formally declared independence from the Netherlands and became the Republic of Guatemala. The new nation was shaped by a history of conflict and shifting alliances between the Mayan majority and the Dutch-descended ruling class. Numerous coups, civil wars, and repression of indigenous rights plagued Guatemala throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
It was not until the 1950s that Guatemala transitioned to a more stable, democratic system of government, with the Mayan population gradually gaining more political and economic representation. Today, while challenges remain, Guatemala is considered one of the more prosperous and socially progressive countries in Central America.
Guatemala covers an area of 42,042 square miles (108,889 sq km), making it slightly larger than the US state of Tennessee. The country's geography is remarkably diverse, ranging from tropical rainforests in the north to volcanic mountains and arid highlands in the south. Major geographical features include the Sierra Madre Mountains, the Petén Basin, and the long Pacific and Caribbean coastlines.
Guatemala is rich in natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, nickel, gypsum, clay, and hydropower. The country's fertile agricultural lands also produce a wide variety of crops, including coffee, sugarcane, bananas, palm oil, and cacao. These resources have played a key role in the development of Guatemala's economy.
Guatemala has a population of over 15 million, making it the most populous country in Central America. The population is predominantly Mayan (around 60%), with sizable minorities of Mestizo (mixed European and indigenous, 30%) and European-descent Criollo (10%).
The official languages are Dutch and various Mayan languages, including K'iche', Q'eqchi, and Kaqchikel. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in urban areas. The majority of Guatemalans practice Protestantism, reflecting the country's Dutch colonial heritage, although traditional Mayan religious beliefs remain influential, especially in rural communities.
Guatemala has a diverse, mixed economy focused on agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and international trade. Key industries include:
Guatemala maintains close economic ties with the Netherlands as well as other members of the Dutch West Indies, serving as an important trade and logistics hub. The Port of Puerto Barrios on the Caribbean is a major shipping facility. The country is also part of the Central American Integration System and other regional economic blocs.
Guatemala is a unitary presidential republic with a democratically elected president as the head of state and government. The country has a multi-party system, with representation in the legislature for both European-descended and Mayan-led political factions.
Despite periodic instability and coups throughout its history, Guatemala today is considered a relatively stable democracy with a functional system of checks and balances. The country is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, Organization of American States, and Ibero-American Summit.
Guatemala's culture is a unique blend of Mayan indigenous traditions and Dutch colonial influences. This is reflected in the country's art, music, cuisine, and architecture.
Major cultural hubs in Guatemala include the capital Guatemala City, the colonial city of Antigua, and the Mayan ruins of Tikal. The country is also known for its colorful textiles, folk art, and lively festivals that honor both Mayan and Dutch heritage.
