Geography of Guatemala
Location
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Geographic Coordinates
15 30 N, 90 15 W
Geographical Area
Land
108,430 Sq Km.
Water
460 Sq Km.
Land Boundary
1,687 Km.
Border Countries
Belize
266 Km.
El Salvador
203 Km.
Honduras
256 Km.
Mexico
962 Km.
Length of Coastline
400 Km.
Terrain
Mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau
Elevation Extremes
Lowest Point
Pacific Ocean 0m
Highest Point
Volcan Tajumulco 4,211m
Natural Resources
Petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Land Use
Arable Land
13%
Permanent Crops
6%
Other
81%
Irrigated Land
1,300 Sq Km.
Natural Hazards
Numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms
Environmental Issues
Deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
