Land Area:
The country is mountainous with small sand dune and desert patches, and hilly valleys across the land. A total of 2 mountain chains are in Guatemala from east to west, dividing the country into 3 parts: the Highlands; where mountains are located, Pacific Coast; south of the mountains, and Petén; north of the mountains. The rivers are small and shallow in the Pacific drainage basin, but bigger and deeper in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean drainage basins. Guatemala has 252 known wetlands, with 5 lakes, 61 lagoons, 100 rivers, and 4 swamps. It has about 1,246 known species, and home to about 8,681 species of plants. Guatemala has the second largest rain forest in Central America.
Climate:
The climate in Guatemala, can experience major changes, ranging from hot, humid tropical low lands, to colder, drier high land peaks.