Sneak Preview

Mysterious Mayas, volatile volcanoes, classic colonial structures, placid lakes - Guatemala offers you a slice of each. If the mysteries of the Mayas intrigue you, visit the ancient sites that reveal just enough to stoke your interest. Or stroll through the museums and monuments in the cities and be transported back in time. The uneven terrain of Guatemala conceals many a volcano (some active) that are a network of trails perfect for hiking. Canoe, swim or just relax by the Lago de Atitlan sipping a drink.

Wild and untamed, Guatemala offers you more than you can imagine. Unfortunately, the political instability of the country has had adverse effects on tourism.

Did you know? Guatemala is a well known producer of the world’s finest coffee. Guatemala was the first country where Blue Denims actually originated. Guatemala means the “Land of Trees” in a Mayan tongue.

Historically Speaking

The home of one of the oldest civilisation on the world, the Mayan Civilization, the history of Central America stretches way back into time. The Mayas were scattered all over Central America and were never united under one political head. Their culture, mythology, beliefs, societal structure and complex calendar system distinguished them from any other civilization. Their buildings (that have survived much longer than the civilization itself) were basically limestone structures, each built with a unique construction technique – the corbel arch was one such technique. Smack in the middle of the Mayan realm, Guatemala received more than its fair share. Today, these beautiful ruins are the main attraction of the area.

The inexplicable collapse of the Mayan civilization was followed by a phase of colonisation. Realizing the fact that Panama provided easy and quick access between the Pacific Sea and Atlantic Ocean, the Spanish invaded the land. A period of skirmishes, some bloody, between the Mayas and the colonisers followed resulting in a conquest for the European power.

Inspite of colonisation, Spain did little to reorganise Central America into administrative districts. The first attempt was made in 1535 with the establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in Mexico City that comprised of Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica. Despite attempts to control the area effectively, decentralisation of authority and rivalries between regional heads made colonial rule in Central America difficult.

The era of indigo trade brought riches to the landed gentry and created a wide divide in the society between the plantation owners and the workers. But this economic boom was short lived and by the turn of the century, competition from other regions seized much of the international trade.

The beginning of the 18th century witnessed demands for independence from Spain till in 1821, Spain granted independence to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The states re-organised themselves to form the United Provinces of Central America with Guatemala City as the capital. Factionalism eroded the integrity of the federation and with its collapse in 1840, Guatemala declared itself an autonomous nation.

Rafael Carrera, the first leader of Guatemala was a conservative who supported the landed gentry and the Church. A Liberal movement in the 1870’s overthrew Carrera’s successor. What followed was an era of social and economic change that lashed out against the control of the landed gentry and the power of the church. Guatemala was opened for foreign investment and a new constitution was written. In the social sphere, emphasis was laid on education. But, by the turn of the century the Liberal policies were watered down by succeeding politicians – Manuel Estrada Cabrera and Jorge Ubico – who concentrated more on economic reforms and ignored the need for social reforms. It was during this period that United Fruit, the American based company, entered into the economic sphere. Soon the role of this company, ceased to be purely mercenary and extended into the political arena as well.

Social reforms continued to be ignored under President Jorge Ubico who strengthened economic relations with America and curbed the rising corruption to a great extend but at the same time suspended the freedom of the press and destroyed all other political organisations.

The populace reacted with the October Revolution of 1944 that ended with the overthrow of Ubico. The subsequent democratic election brought to power Juan José Arévalo who was backed by the communists. His successor, Jacobo Arbenz, in keeping with the communist tone, confiscated certain landholdings of the United Fruit Company and other landed gentry and distributed them among the poor. The United States Government reacted by sending an army and forcing Arbenz to resign.

A military regime that supported the activities of the American business firms followed. Unions were crushed and all opposition was suppressed with the use of violence. Workers resorted to guerrilla warfare and for the next couple of decades, Guatemala was swallowed in civil war. The 70’s and the 80’s witnessed wide scale violence against the populace and during the 1980’s thousands of indigenous people - Mayas, were massacred as the army suspected them of supporting the guerrilla force. Many of them were relocated to camps called ‘model villages’ while several escaped into Mexico and Honduras.

Attempts to stop this civil war were initiated in the 1990’s. A temporary cease – fire was signed by President Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, and finally on Dec 29th 1996, the civil war officially came to an end. However, Guatemala’s tryst with peace has not been smooth and sporadic incidences of violence are not uncommon.

Habitat

A varied and irregular terrain, Guatemala is in some parts covered with dense rainforests, with highlands and valleys and with volcanic mountains in another. The vast limestone shelf, Petén, is pockmarked with numerous ceñotes (sinkholes) and expansive cave systems. This jagged limestone shelf is covered with dense rainforests as well as clear patches where banana plantations have been set up.

To the south are the highlands characterized with ridges, valleys, and string of mountains that are volcanic in nature. Guatemala often witnesses earthquakes and less often, volcanic activity. Due to large-scale deforestation for farming and other purposes, the natural pine and oak cover of this region had been largely destroyed. Tajumulco, the highest peak (13,845-ft) of the country is located in this area.

The highlands give way to the fertile coastal plains of the pacific coast and end in black sand beaches. The tiny Caribbean coastline hasn't got better beaches than these ones.

Wildlife include the jaguar, deer, tapir, ocelot, puma, peccary, jaguarundi and margay. If you’re lucky you may spot the exquisite quetzal, Guatemala’s national bird.