Guatemala

(gwät′ə mä)

country in Central America, south & east of Mexico: 42,042 sq mi (108,888 sq km); pop. 6,054,000; cap. Guatemala City

Related Forms:

See Guatemala in American Heritage Dictionary 4

  1. A country of northern Central America. The site of a Mayan civilization dating back to 1500 B.C., the area was conquered by Spain in 1524. After independence was achieved (1821), Guatemala joined in a federation of Central American states (1825-1838) before becoming a separate republic in 1839. Guatemala is the capital and the largest city. Population: 12,700,000.
  2. also Guatemala City The capital and largest city of Guatemala, in the south-central part of the country. Founded on its present site in 1776, it was rebuilt after major earthquakes in 1917 and 1918. Population: 942,000.

Related Forms:

  • Guaˌte·maˈlan adjective & n.

(click for a larger image)

Guatemala

Learn more about Guatemala

Guatemala

link/cite print suggestion box