Land and Resources, Rivers and Lakes
The principal rivers of Guatemala are the Motagua, Usumacinta,
Dulce, Polochic, and Sarstun. The Motagua drains and divides the highlands and
is navigable in its lower reaches, where it forms the boundary with Honduras
before it empties into the Caribbean Sea. The Usumacinta, navigable for 480 km
(300 mi), winds through the northern lowlands, forming part of the boundary
between the Peten and Mexico, and then meanders across the Mexican state of
Tabasco to the Gulf of Mexico. The Salinas, a tributary of the Usumacinta, and
the Polochic drain the central Verapaz region. The Dulce, a short but navigable
river, provides a scenic connection between Lake Izabal and El Golfete Lake,
then empties into the Bay of Amatique on the Caribbean coast at Livingston. The
Sarstun forms part of the boundary between Guatemala and Belize. Many shorter,
fast-running rivers flow from the highlands into the Pacific, providing power
for hydroelectric plants.
Lake Izabal, near the Caribbean ports, is Guatemala’s largest
lake, covering about 800 sq km (about 310 sq mi). In the north is Lake Peten
Itza (98 sq km/38 sq mi), around which are many Maya archaeological ruins and
exotic birds. The major town of the Peten region, Flores, is built on an island
in the lake, on the site of an ancient Maya city. Guatemala also has many
smaller lakes nestled in volcanic craters in the highlands, including the
mystically beautiful Lake Atitlan (126 sq km/49 sq mi). South of the capital is
the popular Lake Amatitlan (16 sq km/6 sq mi), at the base of the Pacaya
volcano.
