Guatemala is a country located in Central America bordering the Pacific Ocean on the East and the Caribbean Sea on the West. It is bordered by Belize to the Northeast, Mexico to the north, and with Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.

Guatemala was the heart of the flourishing Maya Indian civilization from 440AD to 1100AD. After the collapse of the lowland Maya areas to the north in late 800sAD, the Maya states of the central highland mountainous continued until they were conquered by the Spanish, who first arrived in 1523AD and colonized the area. Guatemala became independent of Spain in 1821 and finally became an independent nation of Guatemala 1840.

More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Maya people and mestizos (a mix of European and indigenous ancestry) Most of Guatemala's population is rural. Guatemala predominant religion is Roman Catholic but in recent years evangelic is on the rise. Both Protestant and traditional Mayan religions are also practiced. Its 2000 population was approximately 13 million. Some of the may archaeological sites are Tikal, Ceibal, Yaxha, Motul, Uaxatun. El Peru,

The official language is Spanish, although it is understood among some the indigenous population; several Maya language dialects are still spoken, especially in rural areas. Guatemala currency is the Quetzal named for its national bird the resplendent Quetzal.

Guatemalan has a history of revolutions, coups and non-democratic governments. Its last guerilla war ended in December 1996 with the signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, leading to successive successful democratic elections in 1999 and also 2003.

The agricultural sector exports, coffee, sugar, and bananas and occupies one half of the labor force, Tourism has now become an important part of its income.

Except for the coastal areas, Guatemala is mostly mountainous, with a tropical climate and cooler in the mountainous areas. Most of the cities and population are situated in the southern half of the country.

The country is divided into 22 states called departments

Alta Verapaz , Baja Verapaz,  Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa , Jutiapa, El Petén, El Progreso, Quetzaltenango, El Quiché, Retalhuleu ,Sacatepéquez ,San Marcos, Sololá, Suchitepéquez,Totonicapán  and Zacapa.
 

Guatemala.... Rainforest, ecosystems, culture.

Guatemala, originally known as Goathemala, "land of trees", is part of Central America. Within it borders is the largest cloud forest of the region, plus the approximately 1,400,000 hectares part of Maya Biosphere Reserve. The biological diversity of the isthmus has enabled Guatemala to rank among the 25 countries with the greatest variety of natural resources in the world. Millions of species reside in the diverse ecosystems that are found here, and unfortunately, most of them are in danger of extinction.

Guatemala has 18 ecosystems, Over 300 microclimates and more than 37 volcanoes, with Santa Maria, Santiaguito, Pacaya & Fuego being active.

The studies show that these Guatemala’s forests (sometimes called the lungs of the world) and ecosystems serve as a massive air filter to clean the atmosphere of pollutants and produce oxygen that extends much farther than the borders of tropical Central America it self. The forests of Guatemala, and of every country in the world, are part of the solution to the help the problem of global warming.

This country possesses great natural and cultural richness. Contributing to the cultural richness is the ethnic diversity. In some ways local populations live out their entire lives in harmony with the   jungle. However in other ways, for generations, they have unknowingly to themselves have been destroying their future with slash & burn agriculture. Needless to say, the Guatemala forests are in great danger. The uncontrolled exploitation of its natural resources, legal and illegal deforestation, the sacking of archaeological sites and the extermination of exotic species are destroying the Guatemalan forest.

Those who live and visit the Guatemalan tropical forest have joined forces and called for world attention to the situation. This destruction of the natural resources continues at an alarming rate today. We are strong believers in sustainable tourism policies. As eco travelers, please give your support by visiting the country without leaving a trace, respecting nature and the indigenous and in supporting localized sustainable development. Local people and our communities need the tropical forest in order to survive. Hopefully the sustainable tourism programs that are being established in reserves and communities will provide an alternative solution to the continued destruction. By promoting the cultural and natural sites of Guatemala, we are supporting the preservation of life in the neo tropics. We endeavor to make Guatemala a true-life sanctuary. Please. Help to preserve it.

About Northern Guatemala Weather

Guatemala annual rainfall ranges from 70 inches in the North to almost 200 inches in the South. To the north in Peten area, the normal rainy season is usually June through October and the dry season is March thru May, but don't expect it. In recent years global weather conditions and changes are making traditional predictions somewhat invalid. In general the weather is good, but if you happen to be there during any small tropical hurricane it can rain for several days. At the end of October, the weather becomes cooler November thru February. In January & February as low as 11 C or 51F, it is generally pleasant with only light showers and cool fronts, Generally the rainy season is from mid June thru November, but we have seen plenty of rain in December. Normally the wettest months are September thru October. The average humidity is 85 percent. Average rainfall in El Remate area is 62 in. Most visitors find Dec thru Feb the very best months to visit (Peten) the northern part of Guatemala.

The above is for northern Guatemala weather. Don't judge the Southern part of Guatemala from the above information.

GUATEMALA NATIONAL PARKS AND GUATEMALA PROTECTED AREAS:

Some of our Natinal Parks and protected areas:
Tikal, El Mirador, Rio Azul, Laguna del Tigre, Sierra del Lacandón, Naachtún - Dos lagunas, Bitopo Cerro Cahuí, Biotopo del Quetzal, San Miguel la Palotada.

GUATEMALA INFORMATION AND FACTS

Background: Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.

Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Honduras and Belize and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico

Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total: 108,890 sq km
land: 108,430 sq km
water: 460 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Tennessee

Land boundaries:
Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

Coastline: 400 km

Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 5%
permanent pastures: 24%
forests and woodland: 54%
other: 5% (1993 est.)

 Natural hazards   live volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and tropical storms 

Environment - current issues: deforestation;; water pollution; soil erosion  

 Population: 12,639,939 (July 1, 2000 est.)

Age structure:
0-15 years: 42% (male 2,735,107; female 2,622,412)
15-65 years: 54% (male 3,411,575; female 3,413,932)
65 years and over: 4% (male 213,791; female 243,122) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.63% (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 47.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.18 years
male: 63.53 years
female: 68.96 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.66 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Guatemalan(s)
adjective: Guatemalan

Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 56%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 44%

Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Languages: Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (more than 20 Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 55.6%
male: 62.5%
female: 48.6% (1995 est.)

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form: Guatemala
local long form: Republica de Guatemala
local short form: Guatemala

Data code: GT

Government type: constitutional democratic republic

Capital: Guatemala

Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986
note: suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993

Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote)

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabreras (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabreras (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003)
election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabreras elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabreras (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo(PAN) 32%

Legislative branch: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (113 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 November 1999 (next to be held in November 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FRG 63, PAN 37, ANN 9, DCG 2, UD/LOV 1, PLP 1
note: for the 7 November 1999 election, the number of congressional seats was increased from 80 to 113

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia; additionally the Court of Constitutionality is presided over by the president of the Supreme Court, judges are elected for a five-year term by Congress

 Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952
FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador  John R. Hamilton (2004)
embassy: 7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10,  Guatemala City
mailing address: APO AA 34024
telephone: [502] (2) 31-15-41
FAX: [502] (2) 33-48-77

 For visitors coming to Guatemala in route to Tikal who are interested in Survivor Guatemala ... (Posted July 2005 ).

YAXHA Maya site just 75 Km. (46 mi.) from Tikal.

The CBS program Survivor Guatemala is now being filmed in YAXHA Maya site just 42 Km. (30 mi.) from Hotel La Casa De Don David in  El Remate. Yaxha is one of the more important Maya sites where many excavations, studies and restoration have been ongoing for many years. Since early May some areas of Yaxha have been closed to the public. All areas of Yaxha have been closed to visitors since June 6 and will not be open until after August 10. The filming area is protected with high security and only authorized personal can enter the area. Come from Belize or going to Belize you can easily visit Yaxha going to or from Tikal and Flores.

Yaxha is the third most Maya Ruins site many tourists after their visit to Tikal National Park. Ciebal is the second most visited Maya site after Tikal.

 Survivor Guatemala is expected to increase tourism and hopefully with a tourism economy this fast disappearing Rainforest along with the many Maya  sites will be saved.  Some hotels not far from Yaxha will soon offer tours to visit the ruins and see the areas Survivor Guatemala was filmed.

For the best excursions with guides who have worked there during the filming take a tour. See tours we offer