Flag of Guatemala

What the flag looks like

Three equal vertical bands of sky blue, white and sky blue, with the coat of arms in the center: a resplendent quetzal perched on a scroll dated 15 September 1821, over crossed rifles and swords inside a laurel wreath.

What it means

The blue bands represent the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and white represents peace and purity; the quetzal symbolises liberty.

How to remember it

Guatemala turns the Central American blue-white-blue sideways into vertical bands, with a green quetzal bird perched on crossed rifles.

Fun facts

• The date on the scroll, 15 September 1821, is the day Central America declared independence from Spain.
• Guatemala's currency, the quetzal, is named after the same bird that appears on its flag.

Guatemala at a glance

Capital

Guatemala City

Region

Central America

Population

18 million

Area

108,889 km²

Languages

Spanish

Currency

Guatemalan quetzal (Q)

Flag adopted

1871

Flags often confused with Guatemala

• El Salvador: Guatemala and El Salvador are both blue-white-blue with a central emblem. Guatemala's bands are vertical; El Salvador's are horizontal, with a triangle emblem.
• Nicaragua: Guatemala and Nicaragua are both blue-white-blue with a central emblem. Guatemala's bands are vertical; Nicaragua's are horizontal, with a triangle emblem.
• Honduras: Guatemala and Honduras are both blue-white-blue. Guatemala's bands are vertical with a coat of arms; Honduras' are horizontal with five blue stars.
• Argentina: Argentina and Guatemala are both light blue, white and light blue with a central emblem. Argentina's stripes are horizontal with a gold sun; Guatemala's are vertical with a coat of arms.