The territory of modern Guatemala was once the heart of the Maya civilization, which extended across Mesoamerica.
Most of the country was conquered by the Spanish Conquistador Pedro de Alvarado in the first half of the 16th century, becoming part of the viceroyalty of New Spain.
Guatemala was the original source for potatoes, corn, chili peppers, and avocados.
In the first decade of the nineteenth century, Spain had been weakened by its involvement in the Peninsular War in Europe and local juntas had been created as local Spanish had revolted against the rule of King Joseph, Napoleon’s brother who was installed as ruler of Spain by the French in 1808.
This taste for independent rule persisted after King Ferdinand came to the Spanish throne and on September 15th 1821, the Act of Independence of Central America was declared by the Province of Guatemala.
Following independence and despite opposition from El Salvador, the regions became part of the Mexican Empire, until they ceded to become the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823.