Nestled at the foot of Mexico, Guatemala shares with its big brother the title of most beautiful country in Central America thanks to its lakes, jungle, volcanoes, the archaeological wealth of Tikal and the loyalty of the Mayan Indians to their traditions. A small country "wedged" between Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador, Guatemala is full of enormous riches. Historical riches first of all, with its numerous Mayan sites still wonderfully well preserved, which plunge those who visit them into a state of deep contemplation, between dream and reality. Cultural wealth then: by going to meet the Guatemalans, you will grasp all the kindness and benevolence of this people still largely bathed by the Mayan culture. Finally, natural riches: you will see for yourself that the name "Country of Eternal Spring" takes on its full meaning here: between the green of the valleys and mountains, the blue of the lakes and seas, and the bright red of the traditional costumes, Guatemala seems to remain in perpetual motion between the mildness of spring and the heat of summer!
Identity card
Area : 108,900 km²
Length of coastline : 400 km
Highest point: Tajumulco volcano, in the Sierra Madre mountain range, 4,220 m
Number of inhabitants : 13,500,000 inhabitants
Bank holidays : Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Official language: Spanish, which borders on Indian dialects
Religion: Three quarters of the population are Catholic, the last quarter is Protestant. Mayan ritual is allowed, but evangelical churches are making their mark and weakening it.
Main cities: Guatemala, Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Alta Verapaz, Quiche, Quetzaltenango, Escuintla, Chimaltenango km²
Capital Guatemala City
Main cities Zacapa, San José, Cobàn, Champerico, Puerto Barrios
Area 108,890km² Land borders
Land borders Total: 1,687 km
Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline 400 kms
Highest point Tajumulco volcano 4,211 m
Density 99.6 h/km² National holiday
National Day Independence, 15 September (1821)
Flag
Capital
Guatemala City
Continent
America
Currency
Quetzal
Time zone
America/Guatemala
Weather
26 °C
Geography
A large part of the territory is covered by jungle and mountainous forests. In the south, the famous Lake Atitlán is surrounded by the Atitlán, San Pedro and Tolimán volcanoes. The relief is remarkably beautiful, as are the chasms and caves of the Cobàn region or the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes.
Guatemala is a Central American country bordered by Mexico to the north, Belize to the east and El Salvador and Honduras to the south. Its western side faces the Pacific Ocean, while the small eastern coast is bathed by the Caribbean Sea.
Fauna and flora
The oak ; The conifer ; The avocado tree ; The mahogany ; The mangrove ; The ceiba : large tropical tree ; The orchid ; The mangrove
The quetzal (symbol of the country): a small bird with a long tail and bright green, blue and red colours; The deer; The shouting monkey; The peccary: a type of small wild boar; The jaguar; The tapir; The puma; The crocodile; The toucan; The ocelot: a wild cat; The manatee; The coati: an animal from the raccoon family; The sea turtle
Festivals and festivities
- July: Fiestas Julias, in Huehuetenango (festival in honour of the patron saint of the town, Nuestra Senora del Carmen, with float parades and sporting events)
- 25 July: Patron saint's day, in Santiago Atitlan
- End of July-beginning of August: Folkloric festival in Coban (dance, music, crafts and Indian gastronomy)
- 15 August: Festival of the Virgin the Ascencion, 15 August in Jocotenango: fair, tasting of typical dishes of the region, installation of an amusement park
- 20 October: celebration of the Guatemalan Revolution of 20 October (1944)
- Beginning of November: Patron saint's day in Todos Santos (festival of all the saints), with horse races
- 7 December: Quema del Diablo, 7 December
- Mid-December: Feria Titular, in Chichicastenango (processions and dances in honour of Saint Thomas, the protector of the city.
Climate
- The temperature of the Caribbean Sea ranges from 25°C in January-February to 29°C in July
- The temperature of the Pacific Ocean ranges from 26°C in December to 28°C from May to October
In Guatemala City, the sun shines on average between 2 hours a day in June and September and 6 hours a day from December to March.
- In Guatemala City: 1,245 mm/year (June is the rainiest with an average of 275 mm/year for 21 days of rain)
- In Mazatenango: 2,535 mm/year (June is the rainiest month with 445 mm/year on average for 22 rainy days).
- In Guatemala City, December is the coolest month with average temperatures between 13 and 22 °C
- In Mazatenango, November and December are the coolest months with average temperatures between 17 and 30 °C
- In Guatemala City, May is the hottest month with average temperatures between 16 and 39 °C
- In Mazatenango, April is the hottest month with average temperatures between 19 and 33 °C
There are two seasons. The rainy season, from May to October, is very marked in the lowlands of the Petén (in the north of Guatemala) and on the coast. In this season, temperatures are very high and reach 38°C on the Pacific side, while in the mountains the nights are very cool. The dry season, from November to April, is characterised by very mild temperatures and low rainfall.
Gastronomy
- Chiles habaneros (very hot peppers)
- Fruits: pineapples, bananas, papayas, melons, avocados...
- Chiles habaneros (very hot peppers)
- Fruits: pineapples, bananas, papayas, melons, avocados...
- Tortilla: a cake made of corn grains
- Black beans
- Chicken or meat soup
- Enchiladas: meat, bean and cheese omelettes
- Burritos and tacos: tortilla filled with meat and vegetables
- Guacamole: mashed avocados
- Chirmol: a sauce made from tomatoes, chillies and onions
- Tamales: corn dough filled with meat or vegetables
When to go?
The best time to go to Guatemala is from late November to early April, during the dry season.
Must-sees
What to see? What to do?
The landscapes
- Lakes (Atitlán), jungle (Petén)
- Hiking, volcanoes (Agua)
- Sierra de los Cuchumatanes
Cultural heritage
- Mayan customs (villages, markets), Caribbean population (Livingston)
- Numerous festivals
The monuments
- Mayan pyramid-temples of Tikal, El Mirador, Uaxactun, Ceibal, Antigua
Lexicon
Toilets : servicios
How much does it cost? cuanto cuesta
The bill : la cuenta
Doctor : médico
I don't understand : no entiendo
Please : por favor
Thank you : gracias
Goodbye : adios
Hello : Buenos días
Yes / no : si / no
Y aller
Flights between Paris and Guatemala City often have a stopover in Madrid, Dallas or Miami. Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport is located 7 km south of the capital. It takes about 12 hours to get there.
Administrative formalities
National Police: 110
Ambulances : 911
Fire brigade : 122 (volunteers) 123 (municipal)
Guatemalan Embassy in France
2 rue Villebois Mareuil
75017 Paris
Tel: 01 42 27 78 63
Embassy of France in Guatemala City
5A Avenida 8 59
Edifico Cogefar-Zona 14 ciudad de Guatemala
Tel : +502 (24) 21 73 70/74 74
Guatemalan Tourist Office
7a Avenida 1 17, Centro Civico, Zona 4
Guatemala City
Tel: 331 13 33
There is no rail network in Guatemala and the roads are in very poor condition. If you travel by bus, it is best to take a Pullman (more comfortable and faster than the camionetas). There are also private minibuses, which are more expensive but safer. For longer distances, you can fly.
For EU, Canadian and Swiss nationals: passport still valid six months after the date of return.
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/conseils-aux-voyageurs_909/pays_12191/guatemala_12254/index.html#enc4
Embassy (Consular functions provided by the Embassy) Adr. 73, rue de Courcelles - 75008 Paris Tel: 01.42.27.78.63 Fax: 01.47.54.02.06 E-mail: embaguatefrancia@wanadoo.fr
GUATEMALA Guatemala - Embassy Guatemala Ciudad - Immeuble Marbella 16ème rue - 4.53 zone 10 - Appartado 1252 Tel: [502] 337 22 07 - 337 36 39 Fax: [502] 337 31 80 Web: http://www.ambafrance.org.gt
National Police: 110
Ambulances : 911
Fire brigade : 122 (volunteers) 123 (municipal)
Embassy of Guatemala in France
2 rue Villebois Mareuil
75017 Paris
Tel: 01 42 27 78 63
Embassy of France in Guatemala City
5A Avenida 8 59
Edifico Cogefar-Zona 14 ciudad de Guatemala
Tel : +502 (24) 21 73 70/74 74
Guatemalan Tourist Office
7a Avenida 1 17, Centro Civico, Zona 4
Guatemala City
Tel: 331 13 33
