Guatemala Facts And Figures

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Facts About Guatemala

Reviewed by Kathleen Peddicord

Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.


Antigua Gardens is a gated community near Antigua, Guatemala.
Alamy/Al Argueta
Population17,915,568 (June 2020 est.)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)$85.3 billion (2020 est.)
GDP Per Capita$3,340 (2020 est.)
Inflation Rate1.83% (2020 est.)
CurrencyQuetzal
Exchange Rate Versus U.S. Dollar7.70 quetzales (GTQ) to 1 US dollar
LanguageSpanish (official) 60%, Amerindian languages 40% note note: there are 23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca
CapitalGuatemala City
Population of Capital City2.934 million (2020)
Time ZoneGMT -6 hours
SeasonsSummer (march-april) and Rainy season (may-oct), Winter (Nov-feb), The weather in Guatemala City is also very windy; this may decrease the apparent temperature even more. Hottest month is April.
International Dialing Code502
Electricity110/220 V
System of Governmentconstitutional democratic republic
Name and Party Affiliation of Current LeaderPresident Jimmy Ernesto Morales Cabrera (Since January 2016)
Income Tax Rate for Residents15%-31%
Property TaxProgressive rates up to 0.9%
Capital Gains TaxCapital gains earned by nonresidents are subject to a flat 31%
Inheritance TaxInheritance and gift taxes are levied at progressive rates, from 1% to 25%.
Rental Income TaxInheritance and gift taxes are levied at progressive rates, from 1% to 25%.
Transfer Tax12% (IVA) of the value of the property
Sales Tax12%
Restrictions on Foreign Ownership of PropertyNo
Local Chamber of CommerceGuatemala’s Chamber of Commerce
American Chamber of CommerceAmcham Guatemala
Primary Exportscoffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom
Residency and Visa RequirementsNot all foreigners need visas to enter the country North American and European citizens need only their valid passport, and will be granted 90 days permission in the country.
Special Benefits for Foreign Residents or RetireesRetirement program
National AirlineAvianca

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Did You Know These Facts About Guatemala?

The name ‘Guatemala’ comes from a word which means ‘a place of many trees’.

As well as Spanish, there are over 20 other Mayan languages spoken in Guatemala.

The Quetzal is also the name of the national bird of Guatemala. In Mayan times the feathers of the Quetzal were used as currency.

Both blue Denim and the chocolate bar were both invented in Guatemala.

Motagua River is the longest river in Guatemala.

Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Guatemala and also in Central America. Its depth goes to 340 meters.

Guatemala has 37 volcanos and 3 of them are currently active. The tallest is Tajumulco Volcano which is the highest point in Central America. It is 4203 meters above sea level.

Guatemala has been continuously inhabited for over 20,000 years making it one of the longest continuously-inhabited regions in the world.

Another interesting fact about Guatemala is that the country is famous for its jade, and produces more jade than any other country in the world.

Firing guns into the sky to celebrate Christmas is a Guatemalan tradition. Sadly, the falling bullets kill people every year.

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