Geography & environment — Guatemala
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Guatemala: Central America
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Central America
- Geographic Coordinates
15 30 N, 90 15 W
- Total Area
42,042 Square Miles 108,889 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
41,374 Square Miles 107,159 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
668 Square Miles 1,730 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
1,048 Miles 1,687 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
- Coastline
249 Miles 400 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)
- Highest Point
4,211 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
- Lowest Point Location
Pacific Ocean 0 m
- Natural Resources
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
- Irrigated Land
1,205 Square Miles 3,121 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
Guatemala City's rainy season is May through October, and its dry season November through April. Temperatures are generally moderate during both seasons, ranging from an average low of 53°F in January to 60°-85°F in April. Frost and snow are unknown, and flowers bloom year round. Rainfall is heaviest from June through October, and the annual average is about 52 inches. Wet months can cause mildew damage to clothing, shoes, luggage, and upholstered furniture. During the dry season, days are clear and the sun is hot at midday with chilly to cold mornings and evenings. During these months it is dusty, foliage turns brown, grass and shrubs wither, and gardens must be watered.
- Terrain
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)
- Location
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
- Total Area
42,042 Square Miles 108,889 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
- Environment - International Agreements
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements