Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, was founded on July 25, 1524, by the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Alvarado in the settlement that was once the capital of the Cakchiquel kingdom, Iximché, and was named Santiago de Guatemala. After several relocations, the city was finally established in the Valley of the Virgin or Valley of the Hermitage on January 2, 1776, where it remains today. That same year, it was granted the title "La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción" by Royal Decree.

Guatemala has been an important center of power and cohesion in the region, witnessing significant historical events, most notably the Independence of Central America on September 15, 1821.

The Historic Center showcases various artistic expressions, including architecture and sculpture, serving as a visual timeline of the city’s evolution. It features numerous monuments, buildings, and churches that bear witness to Guatemala's historical legacy. Adjacent to the Historic Center is the Civic Center, declared a Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2014. This area represents a historical convergence of politics, architecture, and mural art in high relief, as well as key government institutions and the Olympic City, dating back to the 1950s.

Further south, the city’s modern section is marked by Reforma Avenue and Las Américas Avenue, both lined with monuments, plazas, and buildings that enhance the beauty of La Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción.