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Guatemala - Geography

Guatemala, the third largest country in Central America, occupies 108,430 sq km (41,865 sq mi) of total land area, and is slightly smaller than Tennessee. The northernmost of the Central American nations, Guatemala is about the size of Scotland and Wales combined. Its neighbors are Mexico to the north and west, and Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador to the east. The country consists of 3 main regions — the cool highlands with the heaviest population, the tropical area along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and the tropical jungle in the northern lowlands (known as the Petén). Guatemala is bordered by the Caribbean Sea (at the Gulf of Honduras) and the Pacific Ocean (240 km or 150 mi coastline).

Located in an extreme of Mesoamerica that serves as bridge between the subcontinents of the South and the North of America, Guatemala shares with Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, terrestrial frontiers with own dynamics and problems, in addition to the territorial dispute with Belize that Is channeled through diplomatic channels. This valuable and unique strategic position is reinforced to be a country with exit to two oceans, what makes him possessor of a great maritime wealth. By contrast, it does not yet define boundaries in aquatic spaces with any of its neighbors on both coasts, which makes possible the depredation of resources just as it happens with the patrimonial wealth of biological, mineral and cultural order in the continental territory.

Its relief, ranging from sea level to the area with the highest altitude in Central America, determines the watershed basins, with the characteristic of originate all in the country, crossing borders and giving it an immeasurable value. This relief also generates a series of microclimates that have an impact on the type of productive land. Both factors condition human concentrations. This generates some disengagement from the territory since the communications infrastructure is vulnerable to natural phenomena, mainly affected by the meteorological manifestations coming from the Caribbean Sea or the Pacific Ocean.

Guatemala can be divided into three major geographic regions:

1. A narrow Pacific coastal plain extends inland about 45 km (30 mi) before intersecting a sharply elevated piedmont. The Pacific coastline is a relatively level, tropical, savanna plain with many short rivers and lagoons and no natural harbors.
2. The highlands, with elevations exceeding 4,000 meters (13,120 ft) make up about half of the country and cut across the midsection southeast to northwest. The southern highlands include more than 30 volcanoes (some active) and parallel the Pacific coast. The central and northern highlands include the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes mountain range in the northwest and, extending eastward from the plateau, the Sierra de Chuacus. The Tajumulco volcano is Guatemala's highest peak at 4,220 meters (13,845 ft).
3. The extensive Peten lowlands of northern Guatemala form part of the Yucatan Platform, which extends into Guatemala from Mexico. Consisting mostly of limestone, these lowlands provide an extensive underground drainage system.

The high plateau in the center is volcanic, and temperate in climate compared to the hot tropical lowlands. Guatemala has 37 volcanoes - 3 of which are active. Violent earthquakes have, in the past, destroyed what were small cities on average twice every century. Modern construction is supposed to follow California building codes. There are black basalt volcanic sand beaches on the Pacific Ocean and white coral sand on the Caribbean Sea beaches.

Volcano climbs are rewarding but need careful preparation. Several of Guatemala’s volcanoes are 4,000 metres high where temperatures drop to below freezing at night. Warm clothing and waterproofs are essential. Local tour organisers tend to underestimate the risks: six tourists died of exposure on Acatenango in January 2017. There’s no mountain rescue service. Guatemala is subject to frequent minor earth tremors and occasional earthquakes.

Guatemala is a geologically and climatologically active and dynamic country. Visitors need to be aware of the diverse geological and climatological issues: Guatemala is prone to (but not limited to) seismic activity, volcanic eruptions, severe/unpredictable weather, and unstable terrain.

Guatemala lies on a major fault line known as the Motagua/Chixoy-Polochic fault complex. From June 2016 to January 2017, Guatemala registered 50 seismic movements at 3.5+. Guatemala has been affected by a number of significant earthquakes above 7.0 (Richter).

In 1773, a 7.5 quake caused massive destruction to what is now known as Antigua Guatemala, resulting in the capital’s move to what is now Guatemala City. Nearly 200 years later, in 1976, a 7.5 earthquake shook Guatemala City, leaving approximately 23,000 dead and 77,000 injured.

Guatemala has four very active volcanoes: Pacaya, Santiaguito, Fuego, and Tacana.

On January 7, 2017, a group of experienced climbers ascended the Acatenango volcano for an overnight excursion. Accompanied by qualified guides experienced in climbing and properly equipped, the group was overwhelmed by rapidly changing, severe weather. The temperature dropped below freezing, heavy wind and rain bore down on them. Hypothermia set in, killing six of the climbers.

In early February 2015, activity at Fuego caused avalanches and shock waves that rattled nearby structures. On February 7, 2015, a Strombolian eruption occurred, causing plumes with water vapor and ash to rise 1.3km in the sky. Ash fell in Guatemala City (about 35km from Fuego), and flights to the international airport had to be diverted to El Salvador.

In 2013, Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito periodically displayed increased volcanic activity that included lava flow and ash dispersions.