Guatemala - Facts(Click on the map for a more detailed version) |
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Guatemala is located as the northernmost country of Central America bordering Mexico to the north, Honduras and Belize to the East and Salvador and the Caribbean to the south. Spanish is the official language spoken among the estimated 11 million inhabitants, but there is a variation of 23 local Indian languages spoken as well. |
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The country enjoys an annual average temperature of 70 degrees F (20 degrees C). In the coastal regions temperatures can reach 100 degrees F (37 degrees C), but since Guatemala is situated high above sea level the nights in the highlands can drop to freezing. Guatemala has an extensive and unique nature with a wide variety of landscapes. From tropical rainforests in the North, through volcanoes and lakes of the highlands, to the tropical beaches of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Out of the more than 30 volcanoes throughout the highland, 85% are still active. This highly active volcanic field has produced several devastating earthquakes in recorded history. Last time an earthquake produced fatalities was in September of 1991. Antigua was the capital over a period of 233 years until one of the frequent earthquakes destroyed the city in 1773. Today the main income is tourism. The three volcanoes surrounding the city, the worldwide known celebration of the Lent as well as the large amount of high quality traditional handcrafts and many Spanish schools are great attractions, and people from all over the world come to enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of Antigua. Most of the families that The GOD'S CHILD Project works with live under very poor circumstances. The houses that they live in are most likely made of a cement foundation, pieces of wood make up the walls which are not decorated or painted, the roof is lamina sheets and the floor is simply just dirt. Kitchens are often located outside only covered by a plastic roof, but they do have running water.
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