GUATEMALA

Guatemala is the westernmost country of Central America (CA). It is bounded on the west and north by Mexico , on the east by Belize and the Caribbean Sea , on the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador , and on the south by the Pacific Ocean . Its total area of 108,889 sq km (42,042 sq mi) makes it the third largest nation in Central America , after Nicaragua and Honduras . At its widest points, the republic stretches about 430 km (about 270 mi) east to west and 450 km (280 mi) north to south. Guatemala, the country with the largest population in CA, has more than one-third of the CA inhabitants living in this rugged land of mountains and volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and lush vegetation.

Unlike many Latin American countries, Guatemala has a large indigenous population. Close to half the people are descendants of the Maya, the Indians whose advanced civilization once dominated the region. Mestizos, people of mixed European and Native American ancestry, make up the other half. Mestizos in Guatemala are known as Ladinos. Ladino culture is dominant in urban areas and is heavily influenced by European and North American trends. Mayan culture is deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala , where many indigenous people speak a Mayan language, follow traditional religious and village customs, and continue to produce traditional textiles and other handicrafts. The two cultures have made Guatemala a complex society that is deeply divided between rich and poor. This division has produced much of the tension and violence that have marked Guatemala 's history.

Guatemala 's economy traditionally has been based on exports of coffee, bananas, sugar, and other tropical crops which account for 25% of the countries GDP. This focus on export agriculture has enriched the country's small wealthy class, who own large estates. But many of the people remain extremely poor, especially the native people who supply much of the agricultural labor.

After Guatemala gained independence from Spain in 1821, military dictatorships often dominated its politics. Social and economic inequities, compounded by government repression, led to a civil war beginning in 1960. The late 1980s saw movement toward more democratic, civilian rule. In December 1996 a peace accord was signed, ending the 36-year conflict, the region's longest civil war. During this war more than 200,000 Guatemalans were killed or disappeared

Guatemala 's geography has at times influenced its history. About two-thirds of the country's total land area is mountainous. The rugged terrain provided refuge that allowed the indigenous peoples to survive the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, while the fertile valleys eventually produced fine coffees and other crops that sustain the nation's economy. Frequent volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and torrential rains have often brought disaster to the country and made building and maintaining roads and railways very difficult. Two mountain chains traverse Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the western highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the Petén region, north of the mountains. These areas vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between dense tropical lowlands and highland peaks and valleys.

The southern edge of the western highlands is marked by the Sierra Madre range, which stretches from the Mexican border south and east, almost to Guatemala City . It then continues at lower elevations toward El Salvador , in an area known as the Oriente. The mountain chain is punctuated by steep volcanic cones, including Tajumulco Volcano (4,220 m/13,845 ft), the highest point in the country. Most of Guatemala 's 19 active volcanoes are in this chain, and earthquakes occur frequently in the highland region.

The northern chain of mountains begins near the Mexican border with the Cuchumatanes range, then stretches east through the Chuacús and Chamá mountains and slopes down to the Santa Cruz and Minas mountains near the Caribbean Sea. The northern and southern mountains are separated by a deep rift, where the Motagua River and its tributaries flow from the highlands into the Caribbean . To the north of the western highlands is the sparsely populated Petén, which covers about a third of Guatemala 's territory. This lowland region is composed of rolling limestone plateaus. The surface is pockmarked with circular sinkholes through which rivers disappear to flow through underground caverns. Dense tropical rain forest s, swamps, and grasslands cover the Petén, and ruins of ancient Maya cities and temples dot the region.

Guatemala City

Guatemala City is the largest city (1,022,000) of the country and was founded in 1776 as the country's third capital. Situated in the highlands, it dominates all aspects of national life. It is the nation's largest city and its chief economic, transportation, and cultural center. Most of the country's manufacturers are in the city and its suburbs, which form a metropolitan area of nearly 2 million people. The University of San Carlos of Guatemala (1676), Francisco Marroquin University (1971), and the National Conservatory of Music (1880) are located in the city. Landmarks include the National Palace (1943) and the cathedral (1815; partially reconstructed after damage in 1976). Other points of interest include a relief map of the nation in Minerva Park ; Olympic City (1950), built for the Central American Olympic Games; and the ultramodern civic center complex. Nearby are several noteworthy Maya ruins. Under Spanish rule Guatemala City developed into the chief city of Central America . After the country gained independence from Spain the city was for a time the capital of the United Provinces of Central America , a federation of states that disbanded between 1838 and 1840.

La Antigua

Majestic volcanoes stand guard over the former capital of the kingdom, La Antigua, one of the world's most magnificent colonial capitals. The city sits in a high valley overlooked by the spectacular Agua Volcano (3,765 m) and a little further away are two other volcanoes, Acatenango and the always smoking, sometimes erupting, Fuego. Time stopped here 300 years ago when the Santa Marta earthquake forever left its mark on the thick walls and vaulted ceilings of this noble city. Its stone-paved, peaceful parks, fountains and many palaces and cathedrals are filled with the romance of the ancient era. La Antigua is renowned worldwide for its prime quality coffee and for beautifully crafted objects at excellent prices. The city , in the Department of Sacatepéquez, may be the most outstanding and best-preserved colonial city in Spanish America . The Spanish Colonial style permeates every part of the town: its houses, churches, squares, parks and ruins and also its traditions and folklore as well. La Antigua is a city of charm and color where you can see and buy an overwhelming variety of attractive, handmade products that honor the traditions of generations of artisans. It is especially noted for its crafts: terracotta, ceramics, wrought iron, silver and jade jewelry, wooden sculptures, carved colonial-style furniture, a great variety of traditional costumes and weavings, figured stone, brass, jarcia, and traditional toys. La Antigua 's kitchen offers a palate-pleasing combination of traditional flavors, aromas and condiments that produce a delicious, nutritious and varied menu, something you cannot miss. The temperate, climate and friendly inhabitants welcome visitors. The city was designated ‘La Muy Noble y Muy Leal Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala ' by the conquistadors in 1543 and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. La Antigua is considered by many as an ideal place to learn Spanish.