 Guatemala boasts some of the most spectacular Mayan archaeological sites in the world as well as some of the last remaining Mayan communities, who constitute over half of the population. The country is home to approximately 21 different ethnic groups speaking over 23 languages, making it one of the most varied populations in the world.
The first colonial settlement was built in 1524 but continuing battles with Cakchiquel warriors necessitated relocation in 1527 near present-day San Miguel Escobar. Unfortunately an earthquake destroyed this in 1541. A third capital was then established on the site of la Antigua Guatemala and survived until 1773, when it too was hit by a devastating earthquake.
 Guatemala was taken over by the Spanish conquistador Cortés in the 17th century. The Spanish managed to hold on to their power for almost two centuries, ensuring that they left a permanent mark on the country. In between the Mayan villages, Spanish colonial architecture can be seen and throughout all of the major cities, the buildings largely date back to the 17th and 18th century.
The latter part of the 20th century saw the abuse of human rights on a mass scale, largely due to one man, Efrain Rios Montt. It has since been established that his regime was responsible for the deaths of over 200,000 people. This is something which the country is only just starting to come to terms and deal with.
 While the powerful force of nature has destroyed so much of the country, it has also formed some spectacular sights such as volcanic peaks, subtropical rainforests and ancient lakes. You’ll find an abundance of nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and nature trails which are ideal for those who like the outdoors. If however you are more of an inside person, you will find a number of museums, galleries and man-made attractions throughout all of the cities.
There are a number of top-class hotels in Guatemala City. Many offer excellent service and good facilities. La Antigua Guatemala also has a very good choice of hotels. Other areas such as Chichicastenango, Cobán, Panajachel, Puerto Barrios, and Quetzaltenango have a reasonable selection of hotels and you’ll still find some very high standards.
Weather
 Guatemala experiences two very different seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. A varied climate is seen, with each region experiencing different temperatures depending on their altitude. The lower regions experience a tropical climate whereas the higher up regions, where most of the population is based, experiences warm days and cool nights. Temperatures here average 20°C all year round. The lower regions see annual averages of 28°C with temperatures rising to as high as 37°C in the dry season.
Guatemala generally sees clear skies and cooler temperatures at night, even in the rainy season. The rainy season runs from May until October and sees a significant amount of rain in the afternoons and evenings. Temperatures fall sharply at night. The dry season sees much warmer weather and although temperatures do cool in the evenings, they do not fall as harshly as they do during the rainy season.
The dry season sees the highest number of tourists and so you may find that hotels and domestic travel is fully booked. If you are thinking about travelling during the peak season, always book in advance. If however you want to avoid the crowds, visit during rainy season. Just remember your waterproofs.
History
 Guatemala was largely dominated by the Mayans between the 5th and 8th centuries AD until their civilisation went into decline and a variety of other ethnic groups moved in. The Europeans first arrived in the 15th century, but it was two centuries later before Guatemala was conquered. The Spanish conquistador Cortés claimed the country for Spain in the 17th century. The Spanish Empire was under threat in the 19th century, forcing them to concede independence to their American colonies. Guatemala was briefly incorporated into Mexico in 1822, a period in which Guatemala experienced comparative stability. This stability was short lived as the country was ruled by a series of dictators who were content to keep the country under a primitive regime whereby all people came under a small governance of land-owning families.
 The government of Colonel Arbenz Guzman attempted various land reforms in the early 1950s, but were defeated by a US-backed invasion led by military opponents of Arbenz. Almost immediately, the country declined into a state of almost continuous civil war between a series of right-wing military governments and various left-wing guerrilla movements. A major figure to emerge during this period was the former general Efrain Rios Montt. He was army chief and briefly president during the 1970s and 80s and ordered a vicious counter-revolution campaign which was exceptionally savage.
Although Guatemala has experienced a successful shift from military to civilian government, the military still holds considerable political power. Only recently has the government been prepared to admit that its predecessors, especially the Rios Montt regime, were responsible for massive human rights abuse, although it is still a highly sensitive issue in Guatemalan domestic politics. In 1999, a United Nations investigation concluded that the army was responsible for approximately 200,000 killings.
 In July 2002, the Pope visited Guatemala, which was a major event in this highly Catholic country. John Paul canonised the country’s first saint, the 17th century missionary Pedro de San Jose de Betancur.
Today, one of the main issues facing the country is the dispute with neighbouring Belize, with whom Guatemala has territorial claims. Both countries signed a non-aggression pact in 1993 and Belize granted the Guatemalans access to its maritime facilities. The following year, however, the Guatemalan government claimed half of Belize’s current territory. Despite international negotiation efforts, relations between the two countries remained tense.
This tension did not however affect the economy, which was beginning to strengthen. Unfortunately, the country suffered a major setback in 2005 with Hurricane Stan. Devastating winds caused mass carnage, something the country is still trying to recover from.
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