Resplendent Quetzal
Guatemala's national bird has tail feathers that can grow longer than its own body, and ancient Maya people considered it so sacred that killing one was forbidden.
Flag of Guatemala
Field Report
Guatemala is a small but rugged country in Central America, tucked between Mexico to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south, with Caribbean coast on the other side. It is a land of volcanoes, ancient Maya cities buried in jungle, and colorful highland markets where dozens of different people groups have lived for thousands of years. More than 17 million people call Guatemala home, speaking many different languages and following many different traditions, and most of them are still waiting to hear the good news about Jesus.
From the Field Notebook
Resplendent Quetzal
Guatemala's national bird has tail feathers that can grow longer than its own body, and ancient Maya people considered it so sacred that killing one was forbidden.
Guatemalan Black Howler Monkey
These monkeys let out roars so loud they can be heard nearly three miles away through the rainforest canopy.
Morelet's Crocodile
This crocodile, found in Guatemala's lowland rivers and lakes, was hunted so heavily in the twentieth century that it nearly disappeared from the region entirely.
Pepián
One of Guatemala's oldest dishes, this thick stew made with toasted seeds, chilies, and meat traces its roots back to the ancient Maya and tastes rich, earthy, and slightly smoky.
Tamales Colorados
Guatemalan tamales are wrapped in banana leaves rather than corn husks, giving them a softer, more fragrant taste than tamales found in neighboring countries.
Atol de Elote
This warm, creamy drink made from fresh corn is sweet and thick, and Guatemalan families often enjoy it on cool mornings or at evening markets.
Guatemala is home to more than 30 volcanoes, and at least three of them are still active, meaning you can sometimes see lava glowing at night from nearby villages.
The Maya civilization, which built towering stone cities in what is now Guatemala more than a thousand years ago, never actually disappeared — millions of Maya people live in Guatemala today and still speak around 22 distinct Maya languages.
Lake Atitlán in Guatemala's highlands sits inside the crater of an ancient supervolcano and is surrounded by three smaller volcanoes, making it one of the most striking lakes on earth.
Chocolate as the world knows it today can be traced back to the ancient Maya of Guatemala, who were among the first people to cultivate cacao and make drinks from it.
Guatemala is roughly the size of the state of Tennessee, yet it contains at least 14 distinct ecosystems, from tropical beaches on two different oceans to cloud forests and high mountain plateaus.
Daily Life
73
Years life expectancy
82%
Can read and write
87%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Guatemala is home to 57 distinct people groups — 2 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
Nearly all Guatemala's people follow Christianity (95.1%). Evangelical Christians make up about 25.1% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Deaf
50,000 people
Jewish, Spanish-speaking
900 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.