Guatemala Geography

Guatemala is dominated by mountains and volcanoes -- a chain of over 30 volcanoes, several still active, runs along the Pacific side of the country.

The western highlands (Altiplano) hold Lake Atitlán and the country's highest elevations, while the north flattens into the Petén, a vast lowland rainforest that holds Tikal.

The Caribbean coast, around Izabal, is a comparatively small, humid strip, while the narrower Pacific coast is hot, low-lying, and less developed for tourism.