34 
In July, 1773, the town was totally destroyed by a violent 
earthquake during an eruption of the neighbouring volcano, 
the Volcan de Fuego. The survivors were so disheartened 
that they decided to abandon the ruined city and began to 
build their homes on the site of the present city, some 20 
miles north of the old town and at a greater distance from 
the volcanoes. The former place, however, was not entirely 
deserted, for some of the inhabitants returned, and “ Antigua 
Guatemala,” as it is now called, has to-day a population of 
20,000. 
The so-called Kingdom of Guatemala did not long survive 
the old capital. In 1821 the country declared herself in- 
dependent and commenced self-government as a republic. 
Since her independence, continual political strife has quite 
crippled her, and this petty strife will have to be definitely 
quelled before this richly endowed country can be drawn 
out of the mire into which she has sunk. 
The country is mountainous. The principal chain is that 
which runs along the Pacific coast, composed mainly of a 
series of great volcanic cones, and forming the chief watershed 
of the country. Only one of the volcanoes is constantly 
active. 1 o the north of the volcanic system is a region of 
highlands occupying the whole of the centre of the republic, 
and being about 6,000 feet above the sea level. The country 
is well watered. There are plenty of mountain torrents, 
few rivers of importance. The climate is varied. On the 
Pacific coast and the low-lying plains and valleys it is hot, 
but the highlands have a temperate and healthy climate. 
There are two seasons, the dry which lasts from November 
till April, and the wet, for the rest of the year. Certain 
parts of the country vary greatly, one portion having but 
one month’s rain, and another portion having, it is said, 
“ thirteen months’ rain in the year.” 
The capital of the country is Guatemala, and is the largest 
town of the country. It is situated in a broad valley about 
25 miles from the volcanic chain, at an elevation of 4885 feet. 
The population, consisting chiefly of ladinos or half-castes, 
is about 90,000. There are few buildings of importance there. 
Railways connect the capital with both the Atlantic and 
the Pacific coasts. The journey from Liverpool can be made 
in a fortnight. 
The town next in importance to the capital is Quezaltenango. 
This place is still known as the capital of the Altos or highlands. 
At present it has a population of some 20,000, and is sadly 
impoverished. It derived its importance from the fact that 
