Terrain

Almost two thirds of Guatemala is made up of mountains of volcanic origin. The Sierra Madre, which runs east to west through the south of Guatemala, divides the country into two drainage systems of different size. The relatively narrow coastal plain on the Pacific Ocean is well supplied with water and is therefore very fertile in the central, most densely populated region. The northern lowlands, especially the extensive area around Lake Petén Itzá (near the town of Flores), are covered with pastureland and tropical rainforest, and are sparsely populated. Most of Guatemala's volcanoes are extinct, some are half-active and only three are active. One of them is the Santiaguito, which is located in the south-east, where the country's highest peak is also located. There is also the extinct volcano Tajumulco (4,220 m).

Climate

Guatemala has a tropical climate which varies considerably according to altitude. In areas that are located between 900 and 2,400 m, where there is the highest population density, days are warm and nights cool throughout the year. The annual average temperature is around 20°C there. In the low-lying coastal regions, the climate is warmer and wetter, and annual average temperatures range between 25 and 30°C. The rainy season is from May to October.

Fauna/Flora

Guatemala has three types of forest. Rain forests with impressive trees towering over a forest floor that has very little vegetation are widespread in the lowlands along the Atlantic coast and in the south west of the country. Mist forests with moss-covered trees cover the mountain regions and the remains of dry tropical forests with a wide variety of species in the north west. Numerous orchids and other colourful plants grow all over the country. Deer, primates, and peccaries are commonly found in the sparsely populated low-lying plains. Jaguars, tapirs and pumas are less common and there are crocodiles in some rivers. There are a many different species of bird. The best-known bird is the quetzal, which has colourful feathers and is Guatemala's national emblem.

History/Politics

Guatemala was the centre of the ancient Mayan civilisation. There are many excavation sites that are evidence of the classical Mayan period (3rd - 10th century AD) and have become the country's main tourist attraction. Guatemala was conquered by Spanish troops led by Pedro de Alvarado from 1523 to 1524, leading to the foundation of the General Captaincy of Guatemala. The country declared its independence from Spain in 1821 and became part of the confederation of United Provinces of Central America. In 1831, the Guatemalan government, heavily in debt, gave huge territories to Great Britain for timber exploitation. These territories became known as "British Honduras", which are now an independent country called Belize.

The dissolution of the United Provinces was followed by the rule of various dictators that often lasted for long periods of time. These dictators were supported by the military and most of them appointed themselves president. In 1931, General Jorge Ubico Castañeda was elected president. During his term Guatemala recovered from the world economic crisis. However, it soon became clear that Ubico was just another of the dictators that had ruled the country for about a century. In 1944, following a period of recurring conflicts, Ubico was overthrown by a popular uprising and Juan José Arévalo, a school teacher, was elected president. He introduced various democratic reforms, many of them in the form of the new constitution, which was ratified in March 1945. Although more than 20 attempts were made to overthrow Arévalo, he was able to finish his term.

In 1992, Rigoberta Menchú, who had Quiché origins and had had to flee to Mexico in 1981 to escape persecution, received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work and her commitment to the cause of the country's indigenous population. In 1993, President Serrano, who was supported by the army, took office. In 1994, a reform of the constitution was implemented, which shortened the president's period of office to four years. In the general elections of November 1995, the National Advancement Party became the ruling party and their candidate Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen was elected president. The economic situation of the country led to a law being passed in 2001, which allowed for the dollar to be introduced as the national currency. In December 2003, Oscar Berger won the presidential elections and was sworn in soon afterwards.

Economy

Since the 1940s the Guatemalan government has increasingly supported the development of mining and industry, in order to compensate for the country's great dependence on the cultivation of coffee and bananas. A five-year plan from the 1970s provided for an increase in exports as well as in taxes. Furthermore foreign loans were used to accelerate the annual economic growth rate. In 1985, measures were taken to decrease the number of imports and to increase domestic revenue. According to the government, 90% of the population live below the poverty line. Guatemala has a workforce of 2.7 million people; more than half of them are employed in agriculture, 12% in industry, and 38% in the services sector. The unemployment rate was 7.5% in 2003 and the average rate of inflation was 5.6%.

Culture

The colourful and dynamic art and culture of present-day Guatemala is characterized by the contrast between modern customs in Guatemala City, the centre of urban culture, and the very lively traditional way of life of the indigenous rural population. The small town of Quetzaltenango is a centre of indigenous art, culture and opposition against political oppression. Its Spanish heritage is still alive not only in the official language but also in the numerous artistic and architectural treasures. The traditionally diverse craft industry of Guatemala includes the weaving of colourfully patterned cloths and the production of jewellery and ceramics. The famous woven cloths are not only used for decoration, but are still used by the indigenous population for making their everyday garments. Each of the numerous villages of the highlands has its own pattern and specific costumes.