Located in the heart of Central America, Guatemala is a land with a deep and fascinating history. As we explore the history of Guatemala, we uncover not just the stories of a nation but the continuing legacy of a community that shaped the very essence of its identity. 

The only Indigenous culture that makes up the majority of people in a Central American country is the Mayans of Guatemala, with 21 different communities making up about 51% of Guatemala’s population.

The Ancient Maya

The Ancient Maya settled in an area today that includes southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador.

In A.D. 250, the Mayans embarked on a period known as the Classic period. During this time, they built many cities, temples, and palaces. The population grew immensely. In A.D 900, all the major cities where the Mayans had settled were found abandoned.

Experts suggest that this downfall did not happen all at once but over time due to overpopulation, war, disease,  and environmental degradation. However, it is not fully proven.

It is positive, however, that the Mayans didn’t disappear after the downfall. Instead, they were found throughout different cities established in present-day Guatemala and Yucatan, Mexico.

Spanish Conquerors

The Spanish conquistadors started coming to Central America in the early 1500s. The last independent Mayan community fell to the Spanish troops in 1697.

It wasn’t until September 1821 that the Central American countries gained independence from Spain. By this time, all the ancient cities of the Maya had been forgotten until the 19th century, when the ruins started to be discovered by archeologists.

The Mayan Community Today

There are over 6 million Mayan descendants alive today. The majority of the Mayan descendants live in Guatemala, but there are a few scattered throughout southern Mexico.

The Mayans have had an enormous impact on shaping the culture of Guatemala today. Currently, the people of Guatemala practice farming, and they grow different beans, squashes, and corn, which were all foods of the Ancient Mayans’ diet.

The Quetzal, which symbolized freedom to the Mayans, is now the name of the currency in Guatemala. It is also the National bird, and it is even featured in the middle of the Guatemalan flag.

If you travel deeper into Guatemala, you will come across numerous communities speaking languages descended from the ancient Mayans. In many cases, people born in these communities only ever learn how to speak one of the Mayan languages, despite Spanish being the official language of Guatemala.

To summarize, the Mayans have had a lasting impact on Guatemala and other parts of the world today. The remains of Guatemala’s Mayan legacy continue to be a source of honor and a reminder of the rich past that shapes the country’s current heritage.