# quetzal

> currency of Guatemala

**Wikidata**: [Q207396](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207396)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemalan_quetzal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/quetzal-q207396

## Summary
The quetzal is the official currency of Guatemala, having been established in 1925. It is issued and managed by the Bank of Guatemala and succeeded the Guatemalan peso. The currency is identified by the ISO code GTQ and is distinct from the Resplendent Quetzal, which is a species of bird.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Guatemalan quetzal
- **ISO Code:** GTQ
- **Aliases:** Guatemala quetzal, Quetzal (1925-date)
- **Function:** Generally accepted medium of exchange for goods or services.
- **Inception Date:** 1925
- **Issuing Authority:** Bank of Guatemala
- **Preceding Currency:** Guatemalan peso
- **Country of Use:** Guatemala
- **Sitelink Count:** 50

## FAQs
**What is the quetzal?**
The quetzal is the official currency of Guatemala, classified as a medium of exchange for goods and services. It has been in circulation since 1925 and is frequently referred to as the Guatemalan quetzal or GTQ.

**What entity manages the quetzal?**
The currency is managed by the Bank of Guatemala, which serves as the central bank of the nation. The Bank of Guatemala was founded on December 11, 1945, and is headquartered in Guatemala.

**What currency did the quetzal replace?**
The quetzal replaced the Guatemalan peso as the official currency of Guatemala. The Guatemalan peso is classified as a historical currency of the country.

**Is the quetzal related to the bird of the same name?**
While the currency shares its name with the Resplendent Quetzal, they are distinct entities; the currency is money, while the Resplendent Quetzal is a species of bird.

## Why It Matters
As the sovereign currency of Guatemala, the quetzal serves as the primary medium of exchange for the nation's economy. Its establishment in 1925 marked a significant monetary milestone, stabilizing trade and commerce within the country. The currency's management by the Bank of Guatemala ensures centralized financial regulation. Its existence distinguishes the modern economic history of Guatemala from its past usage of the Guatemalan peso.

## Notable For
- Serving as the sole official currency of Guatemala.
- Replacing the historical Guatemalan peso.
- Being managed by the Bank of Guatemala, a central banking institution established in 1945.
- Sharing a nomenclatural link with the Resplendent Quetzal bird species.
- Possessing a sitelink count of 50, indicating moderate digital presence and connectivity.

## Body
### Origin and Location
The quetzal is the official currency of Guatemala, a sovereign state located in Central America. Guatemala gained its independence in 1821. The currency serves as the generally accepted medium of exchange for goods and services within this jurisdiction.

### Historical Timeline
The quetzal was introduced as the official currency in 1925. It succeeded the Guatemalan peso, which is now classified as a historical currency of the country. The transition marked a shift in the monetary system of the nation.

### Governance and Issuance
The currency is issued and regulated by the Bank of Guatemala. The Bank of Guatemala is the central bank of the nation, officially founded on December 11, 1945. Its headquarters are located in Guatemala, and it operates within the banking industry. The bank plays a critical role in maintaining the stability and integrity of the quetzal.

### Related Entities
The quetzal is connected to several distinct entities within the knowledge base:
*   **Resplendent Quetzal:** A species of bird with a sitelink count of 56, distinct from the currency but sharing the same name.
*   **Polish Security Printing Works:** An entity related to the currency category, founded in 1919, with headquarters in Warsaw. It operates within the countries Q36, , and .
*   **Guatemalan Peso:** The historical currency that preceded the quetzal, listed with a sitelink count of 8.

### Digital Presence
The Guatemalan quetzal has a digital footprint indicated by a sitelink count of 50. Its Wikipedia title is "Guatemalan quetzal," and it is described in Wikidata simply as the "currency of Guatemala."

## References

1. ISO 4217
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. GF WordNet