Introduction: Guatemala is located in Central America. It is bound by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the east and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. More than 66% of the country is mountainous while 62% is covered by forests.

Official Name: Republic of Guatemala
Area: 108,889 Sq Km (42,042 Sq Miles)
Population: 13,900,000
Continent: South America
Density per square mile: 331
Capital City: Guatemala City
Religions: 75% Roman Catholic, 20% Protestant, and the remainder following local native tribal beliefs.

Language: Spanish, Garífuna and 21 Mayan languages
Government: Democratic

Currency: Quetzal
GDP: $48.3 billion
GDP Per Head: $3,700

Natural Resources: Petroleum, nickel, rare woods & fish.
Land Use: Arable Land 7%
Agriculture: Bananas, corn, coffee, sugarcane, beans, cardamom & livestock including cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens.
Industry: Textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, natural rubber, flowers & tourism.

Tourism: Volcanoes, forests, lakes, ruins and its colonial history are just some of the reaons to visit this spectacular country.

Natural Hazards:
Health Risks: Cholera, dengue fever, malaria, hepatitis, typhoid, dysentery.

Climate: Guatemala’s climate varies according to altitude although Guatemala has a tropical climate along the El Peten Lowlands and the Caribbean coast, and is more temperate in the highlands. There are generally two seasons, the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to May. Average annual precipitation varies between 70 -200 inches depending on the region. Average annual temperature ranges in Guatemala City are from 12 to 23 degrees Celsius in January to 16 to 29 degrees Celsius in May.

Time: GMT/UTC -6 hours
National Days: September 15

Visas: UK nationals can visit Guatemala for up to three months without first obtaining a visa .Depending on the country you come from, stays are limited to 30 or 90 days. Citizens of some countries still need either a visa or a tourist card, so check with the closest Guatemalan embassy for up-to-date information.There is a US$30 (or Quetzal equivalent) airport departure tax which is payable at airline check-in desks. For internal flights there is an additional Q5 per person travel tax, which is also payable at airline check-in desks.

British Embassy Details