Guatemala

Exploring Guatemala

The land that is now Guatemala was once a central location for the Maya people. Despite that, the name Guatemala is believed to have an Aztec origin – derived from the word Quauhtemallan, meaning the “land of many trees.” Today about a third of the country remains forested. Guatemala also is dotted with numerous Maya ruins and striking volcanoes.

Guatemala’s archaeological sites, natural beauty and rich culture make it a popular destination for travelers. As an added bonus, the nation is also known for its coffee, chocolate, stunning quetzal birds and jade jewelry and sculptures. If you’re considering a journey to Guatemala, here are some country details to keep in mind.

Country Overview

The Maya flourished for centuries in the region that is now Guatemala until the Spanish colonized the area for three centuries. Guatemala won its independence in 1821 but was plagued by military rule and conflict in the years afterwards.

In the mid-twentieth century the nation endured a 36-year civil war that ended with a peace agreement in 1996. Historians say the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a role in that war when it backed a coup in 1954.

Today Guatemala is the largest country in Central America with a population of nearly 18 million people and 22 different languages. The country is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.

Guatemala borders Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. In the south it has a coastal region bordering the Pacific Ocean. On the east it has a smaller region bordering the Caribbean Sea. The country’s largest city is its capital Guatemala City.

Weather

The climate in Guatemala is warm and tropical. It’s humid in the lowlands and cooler in the highlands.

Here are the average conditions you would expect in Guatemala City in the summertime:

	June	July	August
High Temperature	78.4 F	77.7 F	77.9 F
Low Temperature	62.2 F	61.5 F	61.7 F
Average Daylight	13 hrs.	12 hrs. 5 min	12 hrs. 4 min
Average Rainfall	10.7 inches	8 inches	8 inches
Monthly Rainy Days	21.1 days	18.6 days	19 days

Outside of these months, the temperatures do not significantly fluctuate throughout the year. The warmest months tend to be April and May when the high temperature can reach 80 F.

Explore

Geography Now! Guatemala

Learn more about the topography of Guatemala, along with its industries, top dishes and demographics.

Exploring Guatemala’s Maya Ruins

See the remnants of the Maya Empire in Tikal National Park.

Read

I, Rigoberta Menchu: An Indian Woman in Guatemala

This book tells the story of Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchú, Who fought for the rights of indigenous people in Guatemala. After her family was murdered by the Guatemalan military, she learned Spanish to advocate for Indian rights and ethno-cultural reconciliation.