Chapter One—The Beautiful Quetzal (KET-suhl)
Long ago, Cacique (ka-SEE-kay), a powerful leader of the K’iche’ (KIH-chuh) people, lived in the rain forests of Guatemala. He longed for a son to carry on as ruler when he died. After many years, his wife gave birth to a baby boy, Quetzal, which means “beautiful.” On the day the boy was born, a wise man put a jade and obsidian necklace over the baby’s head and said, “Quetzal, it is your destiny to live forever.”
Everyone cheered in the tribe except for Chiruma (CHY-room-uh). He was the younger brother of the chief who was jealous of the baby. With Quetzal around, the only way for Chiruma to become the chief was to get rid of his nephew.
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THE LEGEND OF THE QUETZAL BIRD
A Mayan Tale retold by Pat Betteley illustrated by Amanda Shepherd
Semana Santa GUATEMALA'S HOLY WEEK
What if Easter preparations meant dyeing sand, collecting pine needles, and staying up all night to work on an art project that you knew would be ruined the very next day? Well, welcome to Guatemala’s Semana Santa, or Holy Week.
ME OH-MAYA!
The Maya are groups of people who live in parts of Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Their ancestors created a great society. At its peak, from 600-900 C.E., the Maya civilization was more advanced than its neighbors in the Americas.
Playing Games Honduras-style
Would you play the same games in Honduras that you do in the United States? You might. Children in Honduras enjoy many of the same games North Americans do. They go fishing and shoot baskets. They play sandlot baseball—called bate (BAH tay). They fly kites and ride bikes. Their parents may go horseback riding or play golf or tennis.
LIVING A LONG LIFE IN THE Blue Zone
Most people would like to live as long a life as possible. No one really knows why some people live longer than others, but did you know that where you live can play a big part in how many years you’ll be alive? If you live in a Blue Zone, chances are that you will live much longer than people in other parts of the world.
ATTENTION WORLD: Belize Saves Their Coral Reef
Sea turtles float in clear waters, colorful corals hug the ocean floor, and aquatic animals glide among the mangrove roots. Welcome to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, the second-largest coral reef in the world (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is number one). Several years ago, this reef was in crisis, heading toward destruction. But the people of Belize fought back to save their reef’s health.
The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a 51-mile long canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
This is Central America!
It’s time to visit Central America. But first, it helps to know exactly where Central America is. Despite its name, it is the southernmost part of North America, which can seem a little confusing. It makes up most of the isthmus dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and has water on both sides.
Animal Central
From golden frogs to big cats to colorful birds, the national animals of Central America represent the geography and cultures of the region. For a quick sampling of creatures plain and beautiful, common and rare, read on.
31 Countries Biosphere
The Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve is located at a spot where El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras converge. A biosphere is the layer of planet Earth where life exists.
A Climate To Fear
Central America’s subsistence farmers are fleeing increasingly severe droughts and storms
The Room Where It Happened
Derrick Ingramam is still shut inside the hell’s kitchen apartment the police tried to invade.
Sitting Bull
THE SIOUX LEADER’S FINAL FLIGHT TO FREEDOM
Elgran llamado
Nunca olvidaré las primeras imágenes que vi de Guatemala cuando íbamos descendiendo. Me encontraba en un avión pequeño lleno de pasajeros que salió de Miami y debajo de mí estaba la Ciudad de Guatemala.
A pilot's reckoning
Low clouds, drizzle, poor visibility—and impatience
CONSERVATION FROM ABOVE
FLYING WITH LIGHTHAWK
Mexico, Central America & Spanish-Speaking Caribbean
Leadership Summit 2019
GUATEMALAN JADE
THE SACRED MAYA STONE BECOMES A MODERN GEMSTONE
The Miles That Separate, The Ties That Bind
For years, rural Guatemalans traveled thousands of miles for jobs in small-town Iowa. A series of immigration raids is severing connections seen and unseen.
Secuestros, abusos y violaciones a migrantes en su paso por México
A pesar de las ofertas del gobierno mexicano de auxiliar e incluso ofrecer refugio a los miles de migrantes centroamericanos que se dirigen hacia Estados Unidos con tal de que transitaran ordenadamente por el país, la caravana ha sido objeto de abusos, delitos del orden común e intentos de secuestro. Además, no se les ha brindado suficiente asistencia sanitaria ni la información pertinente, por lo que continúan su trayecto en condiciones de vulnerabilidad cada día mayores.