History
Tikal
Petén, Guatemala
A great Maya city rising out of the rainforest, with towering temple-pyramids and carved stelae recording its rulers.
Period: Peak c. 200–900 CE
Guatemala: leaders, famous people, culture and history
2 places on the atlas covering history and crafts. Highlights include Tikal and Maya backstrap weaving.
What is on the atlas
Who leads Guatemala?
| President (head of state and government) | Bernardo Arevalo |
|---|
Office-holders as of July 2026. Governments change, so check Guatemala’s official government website for the latest. Full list of heads of state and government.
Famous people from Guatemala
- Rigoberta Menchu Nobel Peace Prize laureate
- Miguel Angel Asturias Nobel-winning novelist
- Tecun Uman K'iche' Maya ruler and national hero
- Luis Cardoza y Aragon poet and essayist
- Carlos Merida painter
A short, well-known selection rather than a ranking. People pinned on the map appear in the cards below.
History in Guatemala
Crafts in Guatemala
Crafts
Maya backstrap weaving
Chichicastenango, Quiché, Guatemala
Maya women weave cloth on a backstrap loom, with colours and patterns that identify the village each person comes from.
Craft: Hand-woven cloth
How to use this page
This page brings together the people who lead Guatemala today, a short selection of well-known people from Guatemala, and the 2 places pinned for Guatemala on the atlas. Use the buttons at the top to see Guatemala on the map, where you can filter by theme, read a short summary of each pin and follow the link to Wikipedia for the full article. To browse the same themes across the whole world, see the history page and crafts page.
Questions about Guatemala
Who is the leader of Guatemala?
As of July 2026: President (head of state and government): Bernardo Arevalo. Office-holders change, so check the official government site for the latest.
Who are some famous people from Guatemala?
Well-known people connected with Guatemala include Rigoberta Menchu (Nobel Peace Prize laureate), Miguel Angel Asturias (Nobel-winning novelist), Tecun Uman (K'iche' Maya ruler and national hero), Luis Cardoza y Aragon (poet and essayist) and Carlos Merida (painter).
What are important historical places in Guatemala?
Historical places in Guatemala on the atlas include Tikal. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
What traditional crafts is Guatemala known for?
Traditional crafts from Guatemala on the atlas include Maya backstrap weaving. Open the map for photos and links to read more.
How can I explore Guatemala on the map?
Choose See Guatemala on the map above, or search for Guatemala on the atlas. You can filter by theme, drag the Time travel slider to see who was alive and what was standing in different centuries, and open any pin for a short summary and a link to the full Wikipedia article.