Where is Guatemala? Guatemala on the world map: geographical features of the country

Guatemala is one of the many Latin American states. Snow-white beaches and seashores in it are combined with dense forests and volcanoes. And the local mountains still keep the architectural heritage of the Maya. Where is Guatemala? What is it? Let's find out.

Guatemala on the world map

Guatemala is the most northern and the most numerous of all the countries of Central America. It has a population of 14.4 million people. Its area covers 108 899 square kilometers and occupies 106 place in the world.

Where is Guatemala? It is located on the continent of North America. In the south, the country is washed by the ocean, and in the east by the Caribbean Sea. Neighboring Guatemala with Honduras, Mexico, El Salvador and Belize.

This is more of an agricultural country. Here grow sugar cane, coffee, corn, beans and bananas. Where Guatemala is located, of course, affects its economic ties. The republic delivers the lion's share of the produced products to its closest neighbors - the USA, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.

In turn, these countries, Guatemala buys building materials, cars, fuel and electricity. Proximity to the ocean also allows you to trade with China. In addition, the Republic develops tourism and services. Compared to other countries in Central America, it is economically better off, in the world it appears to be a relatively unstable state.

The population and its formation

Until 1523, the Europeans did not know where Guatemala was. And she was not a single state at that time. On its territory lived many scattered tribes of the Maya. The discovery by Columbus of America brought the Spaniards here, who immediately began colonization.

The locals were subdued, but not exterminated. In Guatemala, reeds and coffee were grown, precious metals were extracted and natural dyes were produced. Unlike most other territories, Negro slaves were brought here a little. Independent Guatemala on the world map appeared only in 1821.

Now the majority (60%) of the population of the country is represented by non-indigenous peoples. Indigenous people belong to several nationalities, which originated from separate Mayan tribes. Thus, the direct descendants of Quichés, Mom, Kakchikeli, Kekchi, etc. reside in the republic. The rest of the inhabitants are descendants of mixed spaniards with Indians or Negroes.

Big cities

The urban population is approximately 49%. The capital of the republic and the largest city in the whole of Central America is called Guatemala. It is also called the "New Guatemala of the Ascension". In 1776 the center of the state was moved here, and behind the former capital the name "Old Guatemala" was fixed.

A million people live in the city. It is one of the tourist centers of the country. Within the city are the ruins of an ancient Indian settlement. In the new capital, also preserved sculptures of the colonial era and frescoes depicting the motifs of folk myths.

The second largest city of Guatemala is Quetzaltenango. It is inhabited by 225 thousand inhabitants. It is located on a hill, two thousand meters above sea level. If the capital supports the role of a cultural and historical center, then Quetzaltenango took over the field of industry and commerce.

In the city, there are operations related to the food industry, the manufacture of footwear, cotton and wool. There is a cement plant and a large airport.

Animal world

A low level of urbanization, dense forests and impassable mountains have made Guatemala a pleasant place for many animals. On the territory of the country there are typical inhabitants of hot regions - anteaters, armadillos, sloths, porcupines and tapirs.

In the local forests live cougars and jaguars, deer, iguanas and poisonous snakes. In the rivers live caimans, and the coastal waters are full of shrimp and fish. There are more than two thousand tropical bird species. The most famous of them is the quetzal.

A small quetzal with a green-blue back and a red breast is a symbol of Guatemala. It is a sacred bird of the Maya and the Aztecs. She was considered the patron of the air element. Pillows of her tail could only be worn by grandees and priests. Quetzal is depicted on the flag, coat of arms, postage stamps and local currency, which, moreover, is named in her honor.

Natural resources

Half the territory of Guatemala is covered by the Cordillera mountains, stretching across the continent. On the territory of the country there are also many hills and uplands, and along the coasts pass the plains. There are many lakes, rivers and sandy beaches in the country.

Guatemala is characterized by a tropical climate. Winter and summer are practically indistinguishable and always warm. Only 17% of the republic does not cover forests. They grow a huge variety of trees, many of which are highly valued. These, for example, are pink wood, Guatemalan fir, cypress, bakut and mahogany.

Guatemala is a country with an unimaginably beautiful, but at times dangerous nature. Within its limits there are 33 volcanoes, at least three of them are active. The eruption of the Agua volcano destroyed the first capital of the republic. They also provoke earthquakes. The last major shake-up occurred in 1976 and claimed the lives of 20,000 people.