Physical Geography

Narrow lowlands run along both coasts. Between them lie the highlands, covering about half of the country. Dominant features are mountains, volcanoes, high plateaus, broad basins, and many valleys. The highest mountains, many of which are volcanoes, rise sharply from the Pacific lowland. Tajumulco, a 13,845-foot (4,220-m) inactive cone in the Sierra Madre, is Guatemala's highest peak. Northern Guatemala is a low, rolling tableland called the Petén, the southernmost part of the Yucatán Peninsula. Guatemala is subject to earthquakes, which are often severe.

Guatemala's chief rivers originate in the highlands and flow to the Atlantic through either Guatemala or Mexico. They include the Motagua and the Usumacinta. Chief lakes are Izabal, Petén Itzá, and Atitlán.

Climate remains fairly constant throughout the year but varies with elevation. The lowlands, especially in the north, are hot, humid, and often malarial, with average annual temperatures around 80° F. (27° C.). In the mountains, averages are 10° to 30° F. (6° to 17° C.) lower. Most of the people live in the cool highlands. Northeast trade winds bring heavy rains to much of the country. In most areas, May to October is the rainy season; November to April is the dry.

Lush tropical rain forests occur along the Atlantic lowland and in the Petén. Many of these forests have been cleared to develop agriculture. This has led to numerous problems, including soil erosion. Savannas predominate along the drier Pacific coast. The highlands are covered by grasslands and forests that are deciduous at low elevations and coniferous higher up.

Wild animals live mainly in the sparsely populated tropical lowlands and remote mountain areas. There are monkeys, jaguars, pumas, bears, deer, anteaters, and armadillos, as well as poisonous snakes and many colorful birds. The rare quetzal, a bird venerated by the ancient Mayas, symbolizes freedom and is a national emblem.