![]() ![]() It boasts an amazing fourteen eco-regions, ranging from mangrove forests, subtropical and tropical rainforests, cloud forests, and wetlands to dry and pine forests. 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.Īccording to the World Conservation Union, Guatemala is number five on the list of Biodiversity Hot Spots in the world. 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 chain is punctuated by steep volcanic cones, including Tajumulco Volcano (4220 m/13,845 ft), which is the highest point in the country. ![]() It then continues at lower elevations toward El Salvador, in an area known as the Oriente. 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. Here, the Cocos Plate is sinking beneath the Caribbean Plate, producing volcanic activity inland of the coast. In addition, the Middle America Trench, a major subduction zone lies off the Pacific coast. This fault has been responsible for several major earthquakes in historic times, including a 7.5 magnitude tremor on Februwhich killed more than 25,000 people. Guatemala's highlands lie along the Motagua Fault, part of the boundary between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. These areas vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between dense tropical lowlands and highland peaks and valleys. 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. Along with its beauty, the lake offers those on a Guatemala trip hiking around the foothills of Volcano Atitlan and great kayaking, horseback riding and mountain biking in the area. Guatemala's Lake Atitlan comfortably boasts the title, "most beautiful lake in the world" with its sweeping views of volcanoes. ![]() At its widest points, the country stretches only about 430 km (270 mi) east to west and 450 km (280 mi) north to south. Guatemala’s total area of 108,889 sq km (42,042 sq mi) makes it the third largest nation in the region, after Nicaragua and Honduras. Many people who travel Guatemala also include a trip to Belize in their itinerary – its close proximity makes for a easy day excursion over the border. Guatemala is the most western of the Central American states, bounded on the west and north by Mexico, on the east by Belize and the Gulf of Honduras, on the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. 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 dominated the nation’s economy.įrequent volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and torrential rains have often brought disaster to the country and made building and maintaining roads and railways very difficult. Close to two-thirds of the country’s total land area is mountainous. Guatemala’s geography has frequently influenced its history. Rugged and Mountainous Guatemala Geography ![]()
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