Guatemala Languages

The official language in Guatemala is Spanish. It is used in schools and government offices across the whole country. Apart from Spanish, other languages spoken in Guatemala are 21 Mayan languages, one Arawakan language, and two indigenous languages.

The Spanish language is spoken widely across the country, but a study shows that only 60.2% of the population uses Spanish as their first language. The other remaining 39.8% of the population speak the other 23 recognized languages. The majority of the remaining 39.8% of the population use Spanish as their second language causing the difference in eloquent Spanish speakers. Minority languages are many in Guatemala and some are not recognized officially by the government but are still spoken in the country.

There are some colloquial phrases that are unique to Guatemala. Some of the interesting terms include “clavo simples,” which means nail but also can be used to express a difficult situation. “Aguas” is another term which means water but used to mean someone is warning you to duck or move aside, “cerote” means a friend, while “patojo” means a kid.

Some of the minority languages are the 21 Mayan languages, indigenous languages, and Arawakan languages. The Mayan minority languages include Achi, spoken in Cubulco and Rabinal areas, Q’anjob'al or Kanjobal is spoken in parts of Guatemala, Akatek spoke by residents around Huehuetenango areas, Ixil spoken by residents of Santa Maria Nebaj, San Juan Cotzal and San Gaspar Chajul towns among other areas. Xinca is spoken by the Xinca people. The Xinca language is spoken by the southeastern people of Guatemala. Another indigenous language is Garifuna spoken by people of Izabal Department of Guatemala.

This page was last modified on May 1st, 2018

More on Graphicmaps

Published on 2019-11-06


Capital	Guatemala City
Languages	Spanish (official) 60%, Amerindian languages 40%
Ethnic Groups	Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census)
Religion	Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Government	Presidential republic
Independance	15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Area	108,889.00 km²
Water Area	1,730.00 km²
Land Area	107,159.00 km²
Population	15,189,958.00 The vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas
Location	Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
No. Bordering Countries	4
Bordering Countries	Belize 266 km, El Salvador 199 km, Honduras 244 km, Mexico 958 km
GDP(PPP)	$132,000,000,000.00 (USD)
GDP (Per Capita)	$7,900.00 (USD)
Export Partners	Its major export partners are the United States and El Salvador.
Export Commodities	Its main exports are sugar, coffee, and petroleum.
Import Partners	Its major import partners are the United States, Mexico, and China.
Import Commodities	Its major imports include fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, and grain.
Climate	Tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain	Mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau
Learn More	Guatemala

Guatemala Languages

More on Graphicmaps

What is a Trade Embargo?

Which Two Countries Used to Have the Same Flag?

What Is the Only Two-Sided State Flag?

Which Country Flag Looks Like the Texas Flag?

Flags That Resemble the US Flag

What is Demography?