Between its founding in 1325 and its fall almost two centuries later, Tenochtitlan – named for the prickly pear plants which grew among the rocks near the site of its construction – was one of the world's most magnificent cities. The capital of the Aztec empire and its most important city, its construction and flourishing represented nothing less than a prophecy come to perfect fruition, and even to the European invaders who helped finally to defeat it, Tenochtitlan was a majestic and undeniably incredible site to behold.  

Two very distinctive traits, the highlands and the lowlands define Guatemala. Each area has it’s own unique look and it’s own unique inhabitants. The thick jungles of the highlands to the filled with natural wonders and spectacles lowlands, there are monuments here that can’t be seen anywhere else on the planet. For now, let’s concentrate on the amazing wildlife and geography of the Guatemala highlands.

One of the defining characteristics for the survival of all wildlife in the Guatemala Highlands is the mountain chain known called the Sierra Madre. It stretches from the Mexican border down to the mid highlands reaching El Salvador. The most intriguing part of this mountain chain is that it’s defined by volcanic cones, including a volcano that is over 13,000 feet tall called Tajumulco.