Guatemala City

Guatemala City (Ciudad de Guatemala) is the capital of Guatemala and the country's political, economic, and cultural center. Situated in the southern highlands at an elevation of around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet), the sprawling metropolis blends modern architecture and vibrant urban life with historic neighborhoods, colonial landmarks, and the ancient Maya site of Kaminaljuyú. Guatemala City is best known for its outstanding museums, including the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Ixchel Museum, whose collections of pre-Columbian artifacts and traditional textiles rank among the finest in Central America. Despite the challenges of a large modern city, it remains Guatemala's leading center for education, business, and culture, as well as the country's main gateway to colonial towns, volcanoes, lakes, and spectacular Maya ruins.