Geography of Guatemala

Geography of Guatemala

Continent	North America
Region	Central America
Coordinates	15°30′N 90°15′W / 15.500°N 90.250°W / 15.500; -90.250
Area	Ranked 105th
• Total	108,889 km2 (42,042 sq mi)
• Land	98.41%
• Water	1.59%
Coastline	400 km (250 mi)
Borders	total: 1,667 km (1,036 mi)
Highest point	Tajumulco Volcano 4,220 m or 13,845 ft}
Lowest point	Pacific Ocean 0 m
Longest river	Motagua River 486 km (302 mi)
Largest lake	Lake Izabal 589.6 km2 (227.6 sq mi)
Exclusive economic zone	114,170 km2 (44,080 sq mi)

Guatemala is mountainous, except for the south coastal area and the vast northern lowlands of Petén department. The country is located in Central America and bounded to the north and west by Mexico, to the east by Belize and by the Gulf of Honduras, to the east by Honduras, to the southeast by El Salvador, and to the south by the Pacific Ocean. Two mountain chains enter Guatemala from west to east, dividing the country into three major regions: the highlands, where the mountains are located; the Pacific coast, south of the mountains; and the limestone plateau of the Petén region, north of the mountains. These areas vary in climate, elevation, and landscape, providing dramatic contrasts between hot and humid tropical lowlands and highland peaks and valleys.