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El Salvador ... Click here for our free Welcome to Paradise screen saver You'll love this! Galapagos Islands Luxury Tours Guatemala: Overview
Guatemala, a country to the south of Mexico, has a surface area of 108,889 square kilometers, (42,042 square miles). It is located in the tropical zone, and has a range of climates that vary according to the altitude. There are two seasons: the rainy months run from May to October, and the dry ones from November to April. The average temperature is 75 F, with small variations in the lowlands and in the highlands.
Guatemala is a small country with a striking variety of topographic features. Nearly two-thirds of the country is mountainous and volcanic. Parallel to the Pacific lies the Sierra Madre mountain range, with peaks that rise to an elevation of up to 12,000 feet. 33 volcanoes dominate the landscape, and these, coupled with the lush tropical rain forests to the north, the fertile plains of the south and east, the beautiful lakes, and the wonderful rivers, make this a land of varied contrasts.
To this rich array of contrasts, one must add a major contributing factor to Guatemala's unique brand of beauty: its wealth of traditions, and the strking colors and patterns of the weavings of the Mayans. Noted for its lush colors and intricate design, the cloth is made into blouses called "huipiles", sashes, skirts and headdresses. Every group or town has its own particular native costume. Woven by its women, usually on a stick loom, its patterns feature the traditional symbolism that identifies their history and ancient gods. | |
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