Guatemala - Location, size, and extent

Situated in Central America, Guatemala has an area of 108,890 sq km (42,043 sq mi), with a maximum length of 457 km (284 mi) NNW – SSE and a maximum width of 428 km (266 mi) ENE–WSW . Comparatively, the area occupied by Guatemala is slightly smaller than the state of Tennessee. It is bounded on the E by Belize, Amatique Bay, and the Caribbean Sea, on the SE by Honduras and El Salvador, on the S by the Pacific Ocean, and on the W and N by Mexico, with a total boundary length of 2,087 km (1,297 mi).

Guatemala has long laid claim to territory held by Belize (formerly known as British Honduras). In 1821, upon achieving independence, Guatemala considered itself the rightful inheritor of this former Spanish possession and continued to regard Belize as an administrative adjunct of Guatemala. In 1859, British rights to the area were defined in a treaty with Guatemala, but, alleging that the UK had not fulfilled its obligations, Guatemala subsequently refused to recognize the British title. In mid-1975, Guatemala demanded the cession of one-fourth of the territory of Belize as a condition for recognizing that country's sovereignty. When Belize did become independent in September 1981, Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation. In January 1983, the Guatemalan government announced that it would drop its sovereignty claim and would press instead for the cession of the southernmost fifth of Belize's territory. Guatemala's claim has been rejected not only by the UK and Belize but also by the UN General Assembly and, in November 1982, at the CARICOM heads of government conference. In mid-1986, Guatemala and the UK reestablished consular and commercial relations.

Guatemala's capital city, Guatemala City, is located in the southcentral part of the country.