GUATEMALA INFORMATION
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.
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.
To
be continued