Factbook
History of Guatemala — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Guatemala, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1821After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821.
1821Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain).
1996In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict.
2018Languages: Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna) (2018 est.) Religions: Evangelical 45.7%, Roman Catholic 42.4%, none 11%, unspecified 0.9% (2023 est.) Urban population: 53.1% of total population (2023).
2023Generation mix — fossil fuels: 25.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); solar: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); wind: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); hydroelectricity: 42% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); geothermal: 2.5% of total insta Energy use: 17.096 million Btu/person (2023 est.).
2023Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Agriculture: sugarcane, bananas, oil palm fruit, maize, cantaloupes/melons, potatoes, milk, tomatoes, chicken, pineapples (2023) Electricity access: 99.1% (2022 est.).
2023Major urban areas: 3.095 million GUATEMALA CITY (capital) (2023) developing Central American economy; steady economic growth fueled by remittances; high poverty and income inequality; limited government services, lack of employment opportunities, and frequent natural disasters impede human development efforts and drive emigration Inflation: 2.9% (2024 est.).
2024Military spending: 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.).
2024Population: 18.3 million (2024 estimate).
