Guatemala
Guatemala is located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize to the northeast, Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the south. Covering approximately 108,889 km², it is the largest country in Central America by population, with about 18 million inhabitants. The country’s physical geography is highly diverse and can be divided into three major regions: the volcanic Pacific lowlands, the central highlands, and the northern lowland plains of the Petén Basin. The highlands are dominated by the Sierra Madre mountain chain, which includes more than 30 volcanoes, several of them active, such as Volcán de Fuego. Elevations range from sea level to over 4,200 m at Tajumulco Volcano, the highest point in Central America. Climatic conditions vary significantly with altitude, from tropical lowlands to temperate highlands, supporting diverse ecosystems and agricultural systems.
Historically, Guatemala was the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization, whose urban centers such as Tikal flourished between 250 and 900 CE. Following the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, Guatemala became the administrative center of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which governed much of Central America. Colonial rule reshaped land ownership and labor systems, introducing plantation agriculture based on Indigenous and later mestizo labor. After independence from Spain in 1821, Guatemala experienced political instability but gradually developed an export-oriented agricultural economy, particularly in coffee and bananas. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, land concentration in large estates (latifundia) and reliance on monoculture exports shaped rural inequality and economic structure.
Today, the primary sector remains significant to Guatemala’s economy and employment. Agriculture contributes roughly 10–12% of GDP but employs about 30–32% of the workforce, highlighting its social importance. Around 36% of Guatemala’s land area is used for agriculture, while forests cover approximately 33% of the territory, particularly in the northern Petén region. The country is one of the world’s leading producers of coffee, sugar, bananas and cardamom. Coffee alone accounts for a substantial share of export earnings and is cultivated mainly in the volcanic highlands, where fertile soils and favorable climate conditions enhance productivity. Guatemala is also the largest exporter of cardamom globally, producing more than 60% of world supply.
Forestry plays an important ecological and economic role, particularly in the Maya Biosphere Reserve in northern Guatemala, one of the largest tropical forest conservation areas in Central America. Timber, fuelwood and non-timber forest products support rural livelihoods, though deforestation remains a significant challenge, with annual forest loss estimated at around 1% in recent decades due to agricultural expansion and illegal logging.
Fisheries contribute a smaller but locally important share of economic activity, especially along the Pacific coast and inland lakes such as Lake Atitlán. The sector provides employment for coastal communities and supports both domestic consumption and exports, particularly shrimp and tilapia. Overall, while Guatemala’s economy has diversified into manufacturing and services, agriculture, forestry and fisheries continue to underpin rural livelihoods and export production, reflecting the enduring influence of geography and historical land-use patterns on the country’s development.
In September 2008 Gerold came by plane from Mexico to Guatemala City and directly to Antigua. Stayed in the city for 2 days, then with a rental car to El Salvador via the C2. Back via El Salvador C1 again to Guatemala City and flight to Mexico.
