9781422286555

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Guatemala

77,071); and Amatitlán (pop. 60,924). Studies by the United Nations show that a large number of respiratory and digestive ill- nesses suffered by Guatemalans are the result of environmental contamination. A Tropical Climate In general, Guatemala has a tropi- cal climate. However, the highland elevations at which most Guatemalans live—between 3,000 and 8,000 feet (915 and 2,440 m)

The Guatemalan rainforest is home to thousands of different types of birds, animals, and plants, including this malachite butterfly.

above sea level—are regions where the days are warm and the nights are cool. The higher valleys even have frost at times. The average annual tem- perature is 68º F (20º C). Temperatures in the highlands change with the seasons. Guatemala has two primary seasons—the wet season, from May to October, and the dry season, from November to May. During the wet season, the highlands are cold at night and damp and chilly during the day. The weather turns sunny and pleasant during the dry season. Guatemala City, where one-eighth of the population lives, has average annual temperatures of 54º to 73º F (12º to 23º C) in January and 61º to 84º F (16º to 29º C) in May. The climate throughout the El Petén lowlands varies from hot and