Departments of Guatemala
The Republic of Guatemala is divided into 22 departments
which in turn are divided into 340 municipalities. The departments are governed by a departmental governor, appointed by the President.
In addition, Guatemala has claimed that all or part of the nation of Belize is a department of Guatemala, and this claim is sometimes reflected in maps of the region. Guatemala formally recognized Belize in 1991, but the border disputes between the two nations have not been resolved.
Evolution of Guatemala's territorial organization
- 19th century - The department surrounding British Honduras is called Verapaz by the British
- 1825 - The first seven departments officially established. Verapaz, Chiquimula, Guatemala/Escuintla, Sacatepéquez/Chimaltenango, Soconusco, Totonicapán/Huehuetenango, and Suchitepéquez/Sololá.
- 1838-02-02 - Suchitepéquez/Sololá, Totonicapán/Huehuetenango break away as the Republic of Los Altos
- 1939 - Los Altos reincorporated
- 1845-09-16 - Quetzaltenango department established by decree.
- 1866-05-08 - Huehuetenango, Petén and San Marcos departments established.
- 1871-11-10 - Chiquimula department reduced by establishment of the Zacapa department and a part of the Izabal department.
- 1872-08-12 - Quiché department created from
- 1908-04-13 - Part of El Progreso department created from western Zacapa.
- 1919-12 - El Progreso department renamed to Estrada Cabrera.
- 1920-06-09 - Estrada Cabrera department dissolved.
- 1934 - El Progreso department reestablished.