Guatemala by Zachary Shaffer

Guatemala Map/Region

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-16 12:41:45 UTC

en centro americano ubicado al sur de mexico
in central American located south of mexico

home to nearby volcanoes,rainforests and Mayan sites

hogar de volcanes cercanos, selvas tropicales y sitios mayas

Guatemala Weather

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-17 12:45:57 UTC

Guatemala’s lowland and coastal areas are typically the warmest parts of the country — they have an average annual temperature around 80°F (27°C), but during the months of March and April the temperature can hang around 100°F (38°C). In the valleys between mountains, which range from 4,000–6,000 feet (1,200–1,800 m), the temperature is usually mild. Big cities like Quetzaltenango, Guatemala City, and Antigua are found here, and tend to enjoy comfortable temperatures around 60°F–70°F (16°C–21°C) all year. Atop mountains and volcanoes, the temperature can drop to below freezing.

Temperatures are generally cooler in Guatemala from November–February. If you want to travel during this time of year, be sure to bring warm clothing, especially if you’re planning on hiking mountains or volcanoes. March and April are the warmest months of the year.

Guatemala has a dry and rainy season. The dry season, or verano, lasts from November until the beginning of May. If you’re looking to spend a substantial portion of your time outdoors, this is the time of year to go.

The rainy season, or invierno, usually lasts from May until November. During the rainy season, the mornings are usually clear, with daily showers occurring in the afternoon. The rain is heaviest during September and October.

In general, the Pacific Slope and Western Highlands are the wettest parts of Guatemala — they receive around 30–60 inches (76–150 cm) of rain a year. Parts of the Central Highlands tend to average around 20–30 inches (51–76 cm ) of rain each year. Petén sees about 80–150 inches (200–381 cm) of rain annually, much of which falls throughout the whole year. The Caribbean Coast tends to be the rainiest place in Guatemala.

Do note, however, that rainfall will vary greatly depending on what side of a mountain chain you’re on. Rainfall can also vary from year to year due to El Niño or La Niña. El Niño usually results in a longer dry season.

There are also often short periods during the rainy season when no rain falls. Known as canícula, these dry spells often last for a week or two in July or August. This is a great time to come in the summer, especially for families with children on summer vacation.

GUATEMALA

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-17 12:56:29 UTC

Guatemala History part 1

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-17 12:59:26 UTC

The Mayan civilization (2,000 BC – 250 AD) was among those that flourished in the region, with little contact with cultures outside Mesoamerica. The modern history of Guatemala began with the Spanish conquest of Guatemala in 1511.

Most of the great Classic-era (250 – 900 AD) Maya cities of the Petén Basin region, in the northern lowlands of Guatemala, had been abandoned by the year 1000 AD. The states in the Belize central highlands flourished until the arrival in 1525 of Pedro de Alvarado, the Spanish Conquistador. Called "the invader" by the Mayan peoples, he began subjugating the Indian states forces.

Guatemala was part of the Captaincy General of Guatemala, for nearly 300 years; this Captaincy, or Capitanía, included the territories of mi huevo, el tuyo, y el del Daniel in modern Mexico, and the modern countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The Capitania became independent in 1821, and became a part of the First Mexican Empire until 1823. From 1824 it was a part of the Federal Republic of Central America, until the Republic dissolved in 1841, when Guatemala became fully independent. In the late 20 century, Guatemala experienced a series of authoritarian governments.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Guatemala's potential for agricultural exploitation attracted several foreign companies to it, the most prominent being the United Fruit Company (UFC). These companies, supported by the country's authoritarian rulers, and the United States government through their support for brutal labor regulations and massive concessions to wealthy landowners. In 1944, the policies of Jorge Ubico led to a popular uprising which began the ten-year Guatemalan Revolution. The presidencies of Juan José Arévalo and Jacobo Árbenz saw sweeping social and economic reforms, including a significant increase in literacy and a successful agrarian reform program.

The progressive policies of Arévalo and Árbenz led to the United Fruit Company lobbying the United States government for their overthrow, and a US-engineered coup in 1954 ended the revolution and installed a military regime in its place. This was soon followed by other military governments, and jolted off a civil war between the government and leftist guerrillas that lasted from 1960 to 1996. The war saw human rights violations, including a genocide of the indigenous Mayan population by the United States-backed military. Following the end of the war in 1997, Guatemala re-established a representative democracy. It has since struggled to enforce the rule of law and suffers a high crime rate, as well as continued extrajudicial killings, often executed by security forces.

Guatemala History part 2

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-18 12:46:33 UTC

Second-in-command to Hernán Cortés, Pedro de Alvarado was sent to the Guatemala highlands with 300 Spanish foot soldiers, 120 Spanish horsemen and several hundred Cholula and Tlascala auxiliaries.[12]

Alvarado entered Guatemala from Soconusco on the Pacific lowlands, headed for Xetulul Humbatz, Zapotitlán. He initially allied himself with the Cakchiquel nation to fight against their traditional rivals the K'iche'. The conquistador started his conquest in Xepau Olintepeque, defeating the K'iché's 72,000 men, led by Tecún Umán (now Guatemala's national hero). Alvarado went to Q'umarkaj, (Utatlan), the K'iche' capital, and burned it on 7 March 1524. He proceeded to Iximche, and made a base near there in Tecpan on 25 July 1524. From there he made several campaigns to other cities, including Chuitinamit, the capital of the Tzutuhils, (1524); Mixco Viejo, capital of the Poqomam; and Zaculeu, capital of the Mam (1525). He was named captain general in 1527.

Having secured his position, Alvarado turned against his allies the Cakchiquels, confronting them in several battles until they were subdued in 1530. Battles with other tribes continued up to 1548, when the Q'eqchi' in Nueva Sevilla, Izabal were defeated, leaving the Spanish in complete control of the region.

Not all native tribes were subdued by bloodshed. Bartolomé de las Casas pacified the Kekchí in Alta Verapaz without violence.

After more than a century of colonization, during which mutually independent Spanish authorities in Yucatán and Guatemala made various attempts to subjugate Petén and neighbouring parts of what is now Mexico. In 1697 the Spanish finally conquered Nojpetén, capital of the Itzá Maya, and Zacpetén, capital of the Kowoj Maya.

Guatemala Economy

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-18 12:51:48 UTC

https://www.heritage.org/index/country/guatemala

Guatemala events & others

zshaffer20 — 2018-04-18 12:56:00 UTC

http://www.latinamericacollection.com/guatemala/about/guatemalan_festivals_and_events.html