Guatemala's Region: Central America

Guatemala is a sovereign nation in Central America, the isthmus connecting North and South America.

• Borders: Mexico (north/west), Belize (northeast), Honduras (east), El Salvador (southeast), Pacific Ocean (south), Gulf of Honduras/Caribbean Sea (east).
• Region Composition: 7 countries—Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama.
• Capital: Guatemala City (largest in Central America).
• Geography: Highlands (Sierra Madre), Pacific coastal plain, Petén lowland rainforest.
• Population: ~18M (2023); majority Ladino (mixed) and Maya (K'iche', Q'eqchi', Kaqchikel, Mam).

Guatemala is a cultural heartland of the ancient Maya civilization.