|
 |
Guatemala |
| |
|
| |
Half way between London and Hong Kong and between New York and Buenos Aires, Guatemala is the most northern country of Central America. In a relatively small territory, there is a mixture of topographic characteristics unique in the world. The highlands have thirty volcanoes, each more surprising than the other. This region will show you one of these giants after every turn on the road. Instead of being an exception, it is an every-day issue to watch lava or high volcanic vent thrown by the cones to the sky. Among the valleys and volcanoes, you can once in a while see a magic mirror: one of the beautiful lakes of Guatemala. |
| |
|
| |
Besides the highland and the beaches, Guatemala has a fascinating variety of geographic regions. In a few hours trip, you can cross mountain, semi-desert, pine woods, rainforest areas, and others. The breathless change becomes extraordinary on its own. For example, it is possible to leave Guatemala City early one morning (with one-digit temperatures), head towards the East, and have a sudden change in view –more similar to flying an airplane than driving a car – since you will find the lowlands of Zacapa, with cactus and desert-associated flora and fauna. Depending on the direction that you choose, after another hour you can reach the Biotopo Del Quetzal (where you could watch quetzals, oncillas and spider monkeys in their own habitat, if you are lucky) or heading towards the Atlantic Ocean you could reach the white-sand beaches of the Guatemalan Caribbean. To get to these beaches will take you a little more time. But it is impossible not to stop at the archeological site of Quiriguá, with its giant steles. And something similar happens if you head towards another area. |
| |
|
| |
The word “magic” is not used lightly in a country that has been inhabited by sophisticated-culture towns for thousands of years. Being at the highlands or at the ocean coasts (the country has coasts on both Pacific and Atlantic), the presence of these cultures will be found in small towns and cities, as well as the presence of many archeological sites, being Tikal the most famous around the world. In nature as in archeology, all areas seem to whisper “magic” in one of the several indigenous languages. |
| |
|
| |
After more than ten years of the peace agreement signature which stopped a long internal conflict, Guatemala is now living a democracy which is stronger every day. This is reflected in the country's economy which uses all available resources to adapt to the new "rules of the game" in a global market. This implies that Guatemala, as almost all Latin American countries, tries to find the balance among its most immediate material needs and the important social dilemmas such as the environment protection and the efforts to get progress to the most needed groups. |
| |
|
| |
For centuries, Guatemalan economy depended almost exclusively on the agriculture. In this sense, coffee and sugar have played a primary role. Now, industry is more and more becoming an essential support with an infrastructure that is becoming modern in the XXI century. The geographic situation of Guatemala allows us to take most advantage of the various trade agreements and other documents signed in the past years with different countries and regions in the world. |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
