Guatemala
A Central American Nation
Connected to Two Seas
Guatemala’s geography connects the country to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, supporting trade, connectivity and maritime activity.
- Capital
- Guatemala City
- Official language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Guatemalan quetzal (GTQ)
- Area
- 108,889 km²
Geographic Overview
Two maritime fronts.
One connected nation.
Located in Central America, Guatemala borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Its maritime access extends to the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea through the Gulf of Honduras.
These two maritime fronts support commercial shipping, fishing, recreational navigation and other maritime activity. The national port system plays an important role in the country’s international connectivity.
Volcanic Highlands • Lago de Atitlán
Maritime Access
Pacific Ocean
Pacific coast
Caribbean Sea
Gulf of Honduras
Ports & Connectivity
Guatemala’s principal commercial ports
Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomás de Castilla and Puerto Barrios connect the country with regional and international maritime trade routes.
Pacific Ocean
Pacific Coast
Guatemala’s Pacific coast connects the country with maritime routes across the Pacific Ocean.
Puerto Quetzal
A principal commercial port and an important gateway for maritime trade on the Pacific side.
Gulf of Honduras
Caribbean Coast
On the Caribbean side, the Gulf of Honduras provides access to regional and international maritime trade.
Santo Tomás de Castilla
A principal commercial port on Guatemala’s Caribbean side.
Puerto Barrios
A principal port facility within the national Atlantic/Caribbean port system.
National Identity
Symbols of a nation
The national flag
The flag has three vertical bands—light blue, white and light blue—with the national coat of arms centered on the white band.
The coat of arms
The Quetzal symbolizes freedom. A scroll commemorates independence, accompanied by crossed rifles, crossed swords and laurel branches.
Historical Context
Heritage and international participation
Maya Heritage
A rich historical foundation
Guatemala is home to a major part of the historical Maya world.
15 September 1821
Independence
Following the Spanish colonial period, Guatemala became independent from Spain.
1983
IMO membership
Guatemala joined the International Maritime Organization, participating in the international maritime community.
Guatemala in the maritime community
Maritime obligations depend on the conventions and protocols in force for Guatemala and the national measures implementing them.