Guatemala
Discover Guatemala
Introduction
Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America — around 18 million people — and the one where indigenous culture is least a matter of heritage and most a matter of daily life. Roughly two fifths of Guatemalans are Maya, and 22 Mayan languages are spoken here alongside Spanish, Garífuna and Xinka.
It borders Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean to the northeast, Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific to the southwest. The capital, Guatemala City, is the largest urban area in Central America, with roughly three million people in its metropolitan region.
The land is stacked vertically. A chain of 37 volcanoes runs along the Pacific side — several active, and Tajumulco at 4,220 metres is the highest point in Central America. Behind them the western highlands hold Lake Atitlán and most of the Maya population. North of all of it, the Petén flattens into lowland rainforest holding Tikal.
The name is generally taken to come from a Nahuatl rendering meaning place of many trees, and roughly a third of the country is still forested.
Guatemala's seven touristic regions
- Guatemala City Region
- Altiplano (Western Highlands)
- Verapaces (Central Highlands)
- Oriente (South-East)
- Pacifico (Pacific Coast)
- Izabal (Caribbean Coast)
- Petén (North)
Borders and roads on the map are approximate; refer to official Guatemalan administrative and road maps for precise detail.
