General Information

Guatemala is the northern country in Central America, limits to the North and West with Mexico; to the east with Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, The Caribbean Sea and to the South with the Pacific Ocean.

Administratively it is divided in 22 departments, equivalent to states or counties and has a territorial extension of 108,889 square kms (42,042 square miles).

The country enjoys a benign climate all year long in most of the territory, with an average temperature of 20C (750F). The estimated population is approximately 12 million. The official language is Spanish but there are 23 indigenous dialects.

It fits to highlight that it possesses an extensive and singular nature; transforming it into a natural paradise with a great variety of landscapes that go from the forests of the Petén, through the mountains, volcanoes and highland lakes until reaching the tropical beaches of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Therefore, Guatemala counts with a rich flora and fauna, which makes this country, occupy a very special place in Central America's biological diversity.

The legacy of the Mayan civilization and the colonial period cultures (customs and traditions) constitute, today, the main attractions of Central America.